Percentage of obese U.S. adults by state 2021
West Virginia, Kentucky, and Alabama are the U.S. states with the highest percentage of their population who are obese. The states with the lowest percentage of their population who are obese include Hawaii, Colorado, and Massachusetts.
Obesity in the United States
Obesity is a growing problem in many countries around the world, but the United States has the highest rate of obesity among all OECD countries. The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen steadily over the previous two decades with no signs of declining. Obesity in the U.S. is more common among women than men and overweight and obesity rates are higher among African Americans than any other race or ethnicity.
Causes and health impacts
Obesity is most commonly the result of a combination of poor diet, overeating, physical inactivity, and a genetic susceptibility. Obesity is associated with various negative health impacts including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and diabetes type 2. As of 2019, around eight percent of the U.S. population had been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is currently the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
Obesity in the United States
Obesity is a growing problem in many countries around the world, but the United States has the highest rate of obesity among all OECD countries. The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen steadily over the previous two decades with no signs of declining. Obesity in the U.S. is more common among women than men and overweight and obesity rates are higher among African Americans than any other race or ethnicity.
Causes and health impacts
Obesity is most commonly the result of a combination of poor diet, overeating, physical inactivity, and a genetic susceptibility. Obesity is associated with various negative health impacts including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and diabetes type 2. As of 2019, around eight percent of the U.S. population had been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is currently the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
