Stereotypes are difficult to escape, especially when they come with a semblance of the truth. There is no way to deny that there is a weight issue in the United States of America. We can attribute its rise to several things, but you will be astonished by the actual numbers. Do you have any idea which is considered the fattest of the 50 states? Let’s all take a look at which states bear the brunt of this reality of nutrition. We hope you will not find your own state on this list!
Here Are The Fattest States Based On The Obesity Rate
Pennsylvania – 31.6% Obesity Rate
This state is known for its cheesesteak shops and has an obesity rate of 31.6%. We also have to admit, but we don’t eat them regularly. These greasy sandwiches are also fans. While Georgia is connected to Pennsylvania, for children in this state, it sounds awful. We say that because the Keystone state has the 9th highest childhood obesity in the USA!
Pennsylvania – 31.6% Obesity Rate
Georgia – 31.6% Obesity Rate
Georgia did not do too badly in terms of the obesity rate in 2012, but at 28%, it was still far from acceptable. Things got even worse in only a span of seven years as the figures rose to 31.6%. Maybe with those famous peaches, they were baking too many pies and cakes. Kids are also not immune to this. Actually, when it comes to obesity levels among children ten to seventeen years of age, it’s 18th.
Georgia – 31.6% Obesity Rate
Delaware – 31.8% Obesity Rate
According to Delaware’s health and human services division, only 39.7% of its residents are in the recommended range. Around a third of people between the ages of 18 and 25 are considered overweight! The older they are, the more likely they will be to become obese. In fact, those aged between 25 and 34 are overweight. Worse still, this is true for 68% of people aged between 45 and 64. In total, 58.6% of state adults are obese or overweight. That doesn’t sound good at all.
Delaware – 31.8% Obesity Rate
South Dakota – 31.9% Obesity Rate
Around 29.6% of South Dakota residents were obese in 2016. Three years later, the number increased to 31.9%. This figure made it part of our unfortunate list. Unfortunately, the following individuals tend to suffer from high rates of obesity: Americans, individuals with only a GED or high school diploma, and those with annual income from $25,000 to $34,999 anywhere. It’s sad to hear Native American reservations see the nation’s highest rates of obesity.
South Dakota – 31.9% Obesity Rate
Wisconsin – 32% Obesity Rate
When your state is known for cheese, it sounds impossible to remain off this list. This may have something to do with Wisconsin being included on the list! The good news is that among children, it has a pretty low obesity rate. The School of Public Health at the University of Wisconsin used zip codes in a study in the hope of combating obesity. Certain areas are said to be four times more likely to be overweight!
Wisconsin – 32% Obesity Rate
North Carolina – 32.1% Obesity Rate
When they hear this state’s name, some people immediately think of Carolina barbecue, pimento cheese, and shrimp and grit. Did you know that it is also Krispy Kreme Donuts’ birthplace? North Carolina has delicious food, but it has a high rate of obesity as well. It seems these two things go hand in hand! Sadly, sooner than later, the state might want to bring down the rate of obesity.
North Carolina – 32.1% Obesity Rate
Michigan – 32.3% Obesity Rate
Most of Michigan’s people are obese! The good news is the number actually dropped the year before. Of children aged 10-17, about 18.9% suffer from obesity, which is not relatively good. Unfortunately, the government should watch things and control them. The information could have something to do with the low rates of high school graduation in the state. Researchers noted that individuals with lower education tend to be more at risk of obesity.
Michigan – 32.3% Obesity Rate
Kansas – 32.4% Obesity Rate
Some may think it’s a whole new country after checking out Kansas food. You have “bierocks,” “lefse,” “zwiebach,” “loose meat sandwich,” among others. If you don’t know them, trust us when we say they’re not healthy. Between 2014 and 2015, Kansas Health Foundations said the state was among many that saw a sharp increase in obesity. Things have also yet to improve. Since then, the state has leveled out, but things could be much better.
Kansas – 32.4% Obesity Rate
Missouri – 32.5% Obesity Rate
Toasted ravioli… do we really have to say more to remind you of Missouri cuisine than that? In St. Louis, the dish was invented and made popular. It is as delicious as it is bad for you this Americanized version of Italian food. This probably explains the Show-Me State’s high obesity rate. The population as a whole is 32.5% obese. However, when you hear that two-thirds of adults suffer from obesity, it is even worse.
Missouri – 32.5% Obesity Rate
Tennessee – 32.8% Obesity Rate
Have you been to Tennessee before? You’d see there’s plenty of fried stuff on the menu if you went to a classic restaurant there. The list includes fried catfish, fried pickles, fried chicken, and sweet potato fries. Let’s not forget that they are accompanied by a barbecue, cornbread, country ham, and more often! They seem indulgent because they are. We can see why it has such a high obesity rate.
Tennessee – 32.8% Obesity Rate
Nebraska – 32.8% Obesity Rate
Nebraska is fairly unknown for its cuisine. Locals say that many Americans don’t know much about the state apart from their vast farmlands and corn. It seems the government knows it has a weight problem and has tried to fix it in vain. Once, the state government discussed a bill involving candy and soda taxation. It’s never gone. Nebraska authorities now hope that providing healthier food in public schools will help improve the situation.
Nebraska – 32.8% Obesity Rate
Texas – 33% Obesity Rate
You have probably heard that in the Lone Star State, everything is bigger. This is also, unfortunately, true when it comes to waistlines! Obesity is suffered by one in three Texan adults. The number goes even higher if you count the number of people who are overweight. The CDC says that 65.9% of individuals in the state are above the recommended BMI. Also, 27.3% of residents say that they did not engage in physical activity in the course of a month. Yikes.
Texas – 33% Obesity Rate
North Dakota – 33.2% Obesity Rate
There was no state in 1985, which had an obesity rate north of 15%. Six years later, there was no state with an obesity rate above 20%. Sadly, North Dakota’s obesity rate has since gone up to 33.2%. As a matter of fact, 71% are obese or overweight. Higher levels of obesity tend to be seen by those in rural areas. What makes it even worse is that, while 10% have diabetes, 29.5% have high blood pressure.
North Dakota – 33.2% Obesity Rate
Indiana – 33.6% Obesity Rate
The truth is that Indiana’s obesity rate has remained rather stable in the past. It had an obesity rate of 31% in 2013. This doesn’t differ drastically from 33.6% today. It should, of course, be lower still. Trust for America’s Health director said, “The state really needs to step back and say ‘what can we do more of, what evidence-based programs do we need to put in place, and what is a more comprehensive approach to obesity prevention that we need to embrace?’”
Indiana – 33.6% Obesity Rate
Ohio – 33.8% Obesity Rate
It looks like the kids aren’t wonderful. Things look grim in Ohio, as one in six children aged 10-17 is obese. This is depressing enough alone but wait until you hear that obesity affects one in every seven American children. The state feels “optimistic” that it can “turn the tide around,” said the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The number dropped to return in 2016.
Ohio – 33.8% Obesity Rate
South Carolina – 34.1% Obesity Rate
You probably agree that there is amazing food in the state if you ever visited South Carolina. You’ve got collard greens, rich grits, she-crab soup, pecan pies, fried okra, and more! We know it’s hard to resist temptation, but anyway, the locals indulge in it. The southern state has made it to the list of the country’s top ten fattest states. We are sure that if you can call it that it does not take pride in that honor.
South Carolina – 34.1% Obesity Rate
Alaska – 34.2% Obesity Rate
The number of obese adults in Alaska has more than doubled since 1991. Thirteen percent of locals fell under that category almost 30 years ago. It was surprising that this number had grown by so much. Alaskan officials claim that in early education, they emphasize healthy food. Some people speculate that people are getting heavier because food in this state is typically both expensive and limited.
Alaska – 34.2% Obesity Rate
Kentucky – 34.3% Obesity Rate
What were you expecting from the state we immediately associate with fried chicken? 37% of its inhabitants were said to be obese in 2018. From 2016 to 2017, the state came in second when it came to the obesity rate of children and teens. A lack of healthy food could have something to do with the dismal records. One study said that in terms of healthy food availability, Kentucky was 43rd!
Kentucky – 34.3% Obesity Rate
Arkansas – 35% Obesity Rate
Nothing beats Arkansans high-fat, high-protein foods. The state loves communal eating, especially if meat, fish, and chicken are involved. You can already guess why Natural State alone suffers from such a high rate of obesity. Obesity is considered the state’s most preventable health problem! Experts say that since fried food is considered a staple diet, the list includes many Southern states. It also involves an uneven distribution of wealth in rural areas within the state.
Arkansas – 35% Obesity Rate
Louisiana – 36.2% Obesity Rate
To know that Louisiana has a lot of iconic food, you do not need to be a genius. Locals pride themselves on rich gumbo, spicy jambalaya, beignets, po’boy sandwiches, crawfish, pralines, and more! Sadly, obesity seems to affect young people. Isn’t it terrible that 13.2% of children aged 2-4 are already obese? This rises to 17% among those in high school. The problem seems most prevalent among African-American community members. The Latino community is also widely affected.
Louisiana – 36.2% Obesity Rate
Alabama – 36.3% Obesity Rate
Alabama, known for its chicken-fried steak, has the country’s fifth-highest rate of obesity. The obesity rate of 36.3% is bad enough on its own, but it is even more devastating to hear that when you count the number of overweight residents, this goes up to 69%. A CDC study said that in the previous month, 31% of Alabamans did not do any physical activity at all.
Alabama – 36.3% Obesity Rate
Iowa – 36.4% Obesity Rate
In an attempt to win over the support of the voters, presidential candidates go to various states. Most applicants try to go to the Iowa State Fair, which has crazy food products for sale. This includes chicken wings wrapped in bacon, a butter cake shake, pecan pie dipped in caramel, fried avocado, corn dogs, bacon balls, and more. By reading that list, we feel like we’ve just put on ten pounds!
Iowa – 36.4% Obesity Rate
Oklahoma – 36.5% Obesity Rate
Can you believe that 18% of Oklahoman children aged 10-17 are obese? This means the state has the sixth-highest childhood obesity rate! Over the past three decades, the figure has more than doubled among children aged 6-11. It has quadrupled among those aged 12-19. Experts think this has something to do with residents’ popularity of sugary drinks like energy drinks, sports drinks, and sodas.
Oklahoma – 36.5% Obesity Rate
Mississippi – 37.3% Obesity Rate
It also has its fair share of unhealthy but delicious food in the form of Mississippi mud pie, blue crab, and more! Unfortunately, the state has since gained one of America’s top obesity rates. Indeed, only one state defeated it. About 37.3% of Mississippi adults are obese. This means that, if you need a context, over one and a half million people in the state are either obese or overweight. This is, as you can imagine, a huge threat to public health in Mississippi.
Mississippi – 37.3% Obesity Rate
West Virginia – 38.1% Obesity Rate
Who would have thought of West Virginia as America’s fattest state? Mountain State has a 38% obesity rate, which is the worst in the country. The Health and Human Services Division of the state says it’s “one of the most serious public health concerns facing [the] state today.” According to authorities, this issue has resulted in $1.4 to $1.8 billion in preventable medical costs! It also resulted in lower productivity rates costing employers $506 per obese worker a year.
West Virginia – 38.1% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Maryland – 31.3% Obesity Rate
Maryland has many crab promotions for “all you can eat,” which could explain the expansion of waistlines in the state. Well, it isn’t easy to put those crab legs down, to be honest! Unfortunately, things are getting out of hand. The state’s Department of Health says that 45% of Marylanders have high blood pressure, 47% have high cholesterol, and 23% have diabetes.
Honorable Mention Maryland – 31.3% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Illinois – 31.1% Obesity Rate
You should go to Illinois ASAP if you don’t know what a horseshoe sandwich is. It’s said to be the unofficial state meal! In Springfield, Illinois, these things originated. All you need is a thick bread slice, roast beef slices or a burger patty, and a pile of french fries or hash browns. Pouring sausage gravy over it is the last thing you have to do. Yep, by reading about it, we also feel like we’ve downed one of those things.
Honorable Mention Illinois – 31.1% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Virginia – 30.1% Obesity Rate
The sad truth is that obesity has long been dealt with in Virginia. In 2015, the Center for Disease Control received over $375,000 from the state to improve access to healthy food and promote physical activity among locals. Unfortunately, these endeavors did not bear much fruit. The state may not be in the nation’s 25 fattest states, although its consistently high rate doesn’t bode well for Virginians.
Honorable Mention Virginia – 30.1% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Rhode Island – 30% Obesity Rate
Maybe Rhode Island isn’t an actual island, but it still has great seafood! Just ahead up, most of them are battered and fried. When you see plates piled high with fried calamari, fish, and oysters, we’re sure you won’t! However, you would be wise to keep an eye on the calories you are consuming. 30% of Rhode Islanders suffer from obesity, said the World Population Review.
Honorable Mention Rhode Island – 30% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Arizona – 29.5% Obesity Rate
Unfortunately, 29.5% of the people living in Arizona are obese. Due to the state government’s help, it is probably somewhat better than the number has plateaued. It could still be so much better, though. Thanks to its proximity to our neighbors, the local food has a lot of strong Mexican influences. This could explain why it has been so difficult for locals to reduce the rate of obesity.
Honorable Mention Arizona – 29.5% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Oregon – 29.4% Obesity Rate
When it comes to Oregon, it’s easy to imagine the great outdoors. Therefore, hearing that it has higher rates of obesity than its neighbors’ surprises so many! The state worked hard to flatten the curve, but it didn’t do much outside. At any rate, the state’s health promotion manager gave the local media outlets this statement, “We’ve been able to stay pretty flat, which was our intention given the resources that we have to address obesity.”
Honorable Mention Oregon – 29.4% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Idaho – 29.3% Obesity Rate
One of the items most people associate with Idaho is the huckleberry. Anything from ice cream to cheesecake to syrup is added to the purple berries! They’ve been getting more attention ever since. Did you know that all over the state, there are hidden family-owned huckleberry farms? Unfortunately, all of the sugar has taken a toll on the locals. It could have something to do with Idaho’s obesity rate of 29.3%.
Honorable Mention Idaho – 29.3% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Maine – 29.1% Obesity Rate
There is an obesity rate of 29.1% in New England’s largest state. This also makes it the second-fattest one in the area. An interesting theory was given to NBC News by a medical expert: “Fresh fruit and produce are not easy to find in Maine. We’re a rural state, parts of Maine have low-income populations, so we know that in a rural state, many people don’t have access.”
Honorable Mention Maine – 29.1% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Wyoming – 28.8% Obesity Rate
All the bison burgers, lamb, elk, sausage gravy, and chicken-fried steak you want can be found in Wyoming. But that doesn’t mean you should! There are 11,500 ranches and farms in the state. This could be why 28.8% of state individuals are obese. It might look bad, but it’s actually a little lower than the national average. It’s better off than many other states, although it’s not ideal.
Honorable Mention Wyoming – 28.8% Obesity Rate
Honorable Mention: Florida – 28.4% Obesity Rate
In the past, many jokes received the Sunshine State. In fact, Florida’s obesity rate is far better than most of the nation. It is 35th out of 50 states, 28.4%. Through programs promoting exercise, offering healthier options at lower prices, and encouraging workplace and school initiatives, the Florida Health Department is still trying to reduce numbers.
Honorable Mention Florida – 28.4% Obesity Rate
Colorado – 22.6% Obesity Rate
Colorado is, according to statistics, the state with the lowest number of obese people. In 2017, around 23% of the adults residing in this state were obese, the country’s lowest rate. The number of obese individuals, however, keeps increasing. In Colorado, those aged 45-64 are most likely to be obese. Of course, the state acts by raising awareness and passing related laws, and lowering those numbers.
Colorado 22.6% Obesity Rate
District of Columbia – 23% Obesity Rate
There was a 1.9 % decrease in obesity in District residents in 2012 – compared to 2011 – according to a survey conducted. It’s most common in the district of Columbia among adults aged 40-64. Nonetheless, this region ranks the second-lowest level of obesity in the United States, just above Colorado. 17.8 % of children in the district of Columbia were overweight, while 17.7 % were obese. Surveys conducted revealed that they lacked nutrition and did not do enough physical activity.
District Of Columbia 23% Obesity Rate
Hawaii – 23.8% Obesity Rate
Hawaii may have ranked among the lowest states in America on the obesity scale, but things have taken a bad turn in heaven. As the Hawaiian population does not do enough overall exercise, 23.5% of residents have said they do zero physical activity. Not to mention, 37% of adults in the states have said that they eat less than one fruit a day, opting for unhealthier options. No state is safe from this epidemic, it seems.
Hawaii 23.8% Obesity Rate
California – 25.1% Obesity Rate
In terms of obesity, California in the United States is ranked 4th lowest. It is considered that less than one in every four adults living in California is obese. There is a 12.7% rate of obesity for those ages 18 to 25. 24% for those 26 to 44. Those between 45 and 64, 3%, and 24.4 % are those over 65. While there are many issues to worry about in California, being fat is not one issue.
California 25.1% Obesity Rate
Montana – 25.3% Obesity Rate
The obesity rate in Montana is among the lowest in the country as of 2019. In terms of the lowest rates of obesity, it is in 6th place. Just over 26% of the residents of Montana are obese. This is a testament to the state programs in schools and hospitals that promote nutritious and unprocessed foods. As a whole, Montana is working on obesity and improving the overall health of the public.
Montana 25.3% Obesity Rate
Utah – 25.3% Obesity Rate
Although Utah has a lower rate of obesity than many other states, this does not mean that it is doing well. While most people in the state are relatively healthy, they are still steadily increasing in weight-not just as much as the rest of the country, according to the annual ‘State of Obesity’ report produced by the Trust for American Health. The figures show just how the national obesity crisis is getting worse.
Utah 25.3% Obesity Rate
Connecticut – 29.1% Obesity Rate
Over 30% of the population is obese in Guam. Over time the number of overweight adults in Guam has been growing steadily, posing an increasing threat to the population. In fact, around 60% of Guam’s deaths are caused by chronic illnesses associated with poor lifestyle and diet patterns. This means that most Guam deaths are due to obesity and weight problems, making it a deadly epidemic.
Connecticut 29.1% Obesity Rate
Guam – 33.6%
In Guam, over 30% of the population is obese. With time, the number of adults in Guam who were overweight has been growing steadily, posing more of a threat to the population. In fact, around 60% of Guam deaths are caused by chronic diseases linked to poor lifestyle and diet patterns. Meaning that most Guam deaths are due to weight problems and obesity, making it a deadly epidemic.
Guam 33.6%
Massachusetts – 25.2% Obesity Rate
The adult obesity rate in Massachusetts dropped slightly between 2015 and 2016, raising a bit of hope in the state. Similarly, the state faces a rate of obesity in its population of 25.2%, meaning that it is still serious enough to pose a problem. The state has taken steps to remedy the issue. They have developed drinking water initiatives, raised nutrition standards, healthy eating, physical activity, and more.
Massachusetts 25.2% Obesity Rate
Minnesota – 30.1% Obesity Rate
In 2018 and 2019, Minnesota’s adult obesity rate has remained rather steady, but that does not mean it’s good. Minnesota has an obesity rate of 30.1%, according to the Department of Health. Almost one adult in three suffers from obesity. It is also lower than its neighboring states, aside from the fact that Minnesota’s obesity rate is lower than the national average. To name a few, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Dakota have obesity rates above 33%.
Minnesota 30.1% Obesity Rate
Nebraska – 34.1% Obesity Rate
Apart from the fact that Nebraska is on the higher end of American rates of obesity, its rate has been rising for several years now. The numbers have risen steadily from 2013 to 2018. Just over a third of today’s population weighs in as obese. As isolated programs calling for lifestyle changes are not doing enough, it seems that major changes need to be set in place for Nebraska residents.
Nebraska 34.1% Obesity Rate
Nevada – 30.6% Obesity Rate
Like most Americans, Nevada residents experience wider and wider waists. Unfortunately, the figures are steadily increasing, leading to more diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While state-wide policies on obesity are being established, it doesn’t seem they’re doing much good for the population yet. However, Nevada is one of the few states requiring higher nutritional standards for children’s school lunches.
Nevada 30.6% Obesity Rate
New Hampshire – 31.8% Obesity Rate
New Hampshire is in a rather dire state: nearly two out of three adults are overweight or obese, and more than one-quarter children. The only good thing to say is this rate has held steady for at least five years. To start reversing this deadly trend, it is clear that the government, the food industry, and individuals must take action. Despite the percentage, only 9% of New Hampshire adults have diabetes or obesity-related conditions.
New Hampshire 31.8% Obesity Rate
New Jersey – 27.7% Obesity Rate
New Jersey appears to be faring better than most nations in obesity. That’s not saying they’re doing well. New Jersey, like all other states, slowly gets heavier. However, the state takes some serious action to remedy the issue. In 2020, an initiative was created to improve New Jersey residents’ overall health. To encourage healthier lifestyle choices, Healthy New Jersey 2020′ aims to achieve various health-centered goals by year-end.
New Jersey – 27.7% Obesity Rate