Obesity Rates By State: New CDC Data Looks At Weight Across The Country

By now, America's weight problem is well established: more than 35 percent of adults across the country are considered obese, with a BMI greater than or equal to 30. That's more than 78 million people.

But how do those numbers shake out by state? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently mapped out the percentage of obese Americans by state using 2011 data, finding that greater percentages of obese people tend to reside in the south.

In fact, 34.9 percent of Mississippi residents were considered to be obese in 2011, making it the most obese state in America. Colorado, on the other hand, had the lowest percentage of obese citizens, at 20.7 percent.

While this number falls far under the national average, not a single state had fewer than 20 percent obese residents.

Where does your state fall on this obesity map? Scroll through the slides below and let us know in the comments section below.

Loading Slideshow

• Most Obese State #50: Colorado

  20.7% of adults in Colorado were reported as being obese. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wdayton/2908060025/" target="_hplink">Bill Dayton</a></em>

• Most Obese State #49: Hawaii

  21.8% of adults in Hawaii were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #48: Massachusetts

  22.7% of adults in Massachusetts were reported as being obese. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/5711437927/" target="_hplink">Dougtone</a>.</em>

• Most Obese State #47: New Jersey

  23.7% of adults in New Jersey were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #46: California

  23.8% of adults in California were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #45: Utah

  24.4% of adults in Utah were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #44: Connecticut

  24.5% of adults in Connecticut were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #43: New York

  24.5% of adults in New York were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #42: Nevada

  24.5% of adults in Nevada were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #41: Montana

  24.6% of adults in Montana were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #40: Arizona

  24.7% of adults in Arizona were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #39: Wyoming

  25% of adults in Wyoming were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #38: Vermont

  25.4% of adults in Vermont were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #37: Rhode Island

  25.4% of adults in Rhode Island were reported as being obese. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leewrightonflickr/6804256718/" target="_hplink">leewrightonflickr</a></em>

• Most Obese State #36: Minnesota

  25.7% of adults in Minnesota were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #35: New Hampshire

  26.2% of adults in New Hampshire were reported as being obese. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cedarstreet/2935549916/" target="_hplink">scopique</a>.</em>

• Most Obese State #34: New Mexico

  26.3% of adults in New Mexico were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #33: Washington

  26.5% of adults in Washington were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #32: Florida

  26.6% of adults in Florida were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #31: Oregon

  26.7% of adults in Oregon were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #30: Idaho

  27% of adults in Idaho were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #29: Illinois

  27.1% of adults in Illinois were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #28: Alaska

  27.4% of adults in Alaska were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #27: Wisconsin

  27.7% of adults in Wisconsin were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #26: North Dakota

  27.8% of adults in North Dakota were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #25: Maine

  27.8% of adults in Maine were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #24: Georgia

  28% of adults in Georgia were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #23: South Dakota

  28.1% of adults in South Dakota were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #22: Maryland

  28.3% of adults in Maryland were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #21: Nebraska

  28.4% of adults in Nebraska were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #20: Pennsylvania

  28.6% of adults in Pennsylvania were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #19: Delaware

  28.8% of adults in Delaware were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #18: Iowa

  29% of adults in Iowa were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #17: North Carolina

  29.1% of adults in North Carolina were reported as being obese. Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/twbuckner/3188354313/" target="_hplink">twbuckner</a>.

• Most Obese State #16: Tennessee

  29.2% of adults in Tennessee were reported as being obese. Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhodge/240799585/" target="_hplink">Michael Hodge</a>.

• Most Obese State #15: Virginia

  29.2% of adults in Virginia were reported as being obese. <em>Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/haolepunk/3605260603/" target="_hplink">Haole Punk</a>.</em>

• Most Obese State #14: Ohio

  29.6% of adults in Ohio were reported as being obese. Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/amatuer_44060/1474640506/" target="_hplink">sunsets_for_you</a>.

• Most Obese State #13: Kansas

  29.6% of adults in Kansas were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #12: Missouri

  30.3% of adults in Missouri were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #11: Texas

  30.4% of adults in Texas were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #10: Kentucky

  30.4% of adults in Texas were reported as being obese. Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/4468869211/" target="_hplink">Gage Skidmore</a>.

• Most Obese State #9: Indiana

  30.8% of adults in Indiana were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #8: South Carolina

  30.8% of adults in South Carolina were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #7: Arkansas

  30.9% of adults in Arkansas were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #6: Oklahoma

  31.1% of adults in Oklahoma were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #5: Michigan

  31.3% of adults in Michigan were reported as being obese. Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbowlersr/3885364644/" target="_hplink">mbowlersr</a>.

• Most Obese State #4: Alabama

  32% of adults in Alabama were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #3: West Virginia

  32.4% of adults in West Virginia were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #2: Louisiana

  33.4% of adults in Louisiana were reported as being obese.

• Most Obese State #1: Mississippi

  34.9% of adults in Mississippi were reported as being obese.

• Understanding the Problems of Obesity

  Learn about obesity and weight issues in our society and how to understand the underlying issues relating to obesity.

For more on obesity and weight loss, click here.

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Comments

[redkim]

08:18 AM on 09/16/2012

I don't think America has a weight problem. We have a food problem. We have become addicted to eating compulsively. Obesity is simply a result of that, and compulsive overeating is like the addiction to alcohol and drugs. Fortunately, there is a solution.

[filkel123]

04:55 PM on 09/12/2012

Put down the fork if you are not obese by heredity.

[drm027]

02:39 PM on 08/22/2012

Look at this information in terms of actual obese people within the state. Paints a slightly different picture.
Data from:
2010 US Census Population by State
% Obese from Huffington
state pop * % obese = # of actual obese people

1 California 33,912,286
2 Texas 28,550,340
3 New York 22,177,312
4 Illinois 20,184,388
5 Ohio 18,724,418
6 Florida 17,518,111
7 Pennsylvania 16,863,800
8 Michigan 15,804,106
9 Indiana 11,624,241
10 New Jersey 10,306,737
11 North Carolina 9,843,701
12 Georgia 9,410,187
13 Wisconsin 8,529,246
14 Minnesota 7,676,208
15 Massachusetts 7,451,517
16 Virginia 7,432,324
17 Tennessee 7,019,637
18 Missouri 6,810,613
19 Washington 6,471,205
20 Arizona 5,976,956
21 Alabama 5,512,029
22 Louisiana 5,201,875
23 Kentucky 5,116,687
24 Maryland 5,020,389
25 South Carolina 4,777,660
26 Kansas 4,715,643
27 Oklahoma 4,388,434
28 Connecticut 4,194,546
29 Colorado 3,885,221
30 Oregon 3,781,559
31 Mississippi 3,629,581
32 Iowa 3,347,932
33 Arkansas 3,283,621
34 Utah 2,618,120
35 Nevada 2,333,613
36 Nebraska 2,127,855
37 West Virginia 2,009,026
38 New Mexico 1,969,553
39 Maine 1,620,386
40 New Hampshire 1,584,819
41 Idaho 1,560,381
42 Rhode Island 1,301,103
43 South Dakota 1,207,538
44 North Dakota 1,010,891
45 Montana 877,885
46 Hawaii 874,412
47 Delaware 849,296
48 Vermont 733,897
49 Alaska 717,652
50 Wyoming 518,960

[Kathleen L Lage]

09:11 AM on 08/19/2012

So sad... the effects our quality of life in so many ways. I really wish there was a way to share solutions like Loving Works Weight Balancing System. "Helping America return to health-- 10 lbs. at a time...with the Weight Balancing System-- no hCG, no hormones, no blockers, no suppressants, no harsh stimulants, just an all-natural method to release 5-20lbs per month."

[johuyik]

08:05 PM on 08/18/2012

Why are almost all of the fatest states mostly republican?

[Quinton Aiken]

10:56 AM on 08/17/2012

Red States are the worst. Not surprising. As long as they have their Guuuns, their Dawgs, and their Truuuks, their "Freedoms", Fox News, and dislike for "Big Gub-mint" they're happy. The fact that they can endure a full winter hibernation matters not.

Michigan - Lost in translation.

[filkel123]

05:06 PM on 09/12/2012

Nice sterotype why does evryone think that the south is nothing but hillbillys and rednecks watch......Thomaas jefferson,MLK,Areatha Frankilin,Alivin C York,and Morgon Freeman stop your sterotypeing like the rest of the nation

[Quinton Aiken]

12:07 AM on 09/13/2012

Make it as granular as you like. On a national scale, my assessment continues to hold water. Feel free to call it stereotyping (Ignoring what's in front of your face). I choose not to. Ignoring a fact does not make the fact unfounded.

[bahkey]

11:58 PM on 11/26/2012

You forgot Cracker Barrel and Golden Corral. My favorite Golden "Corral" and fat people. MMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

[Quinton Aiken]

02:28 AM on 11/27/2012

I love Golden Corral and Cracker Barrel. But I also work that love off!!

[sweetpatriot]

10:51 PM on 08/16/2012

Work out for two hours everyday and you shall be fine

[Black Rhino]

04:13 PM on 08/17/2012

Isn't it amazing that people don't know this? They need a coach to tell them to walk on a treadmill...as if this is some massive discovery. They need a coach to tell them to eat vegetables and fruit.

People live like such imbeciles. Exercise, read, learn, grow, stretch...are these mysteries?

[sweetpatriot]

05:39 PM on 08/17/2012

No sir/madam.It is common sense.We human are suppose to exercise for our well being.

[johuyik]

08:07 PM on 08/18/2012

I don't even think you need 2 really, just one very intense hour each day can make a lot of difference if you're reasonably active the rest of the day.

[sweetpatriot]

01:52 AM on 08/19/2012

I do two hours and because I am slower.It make me feel good.

[Mike in Charlotte]

08:49 PM on 08/16/2012

It's a Liberal conspiracy. No, wait, it's the CDC and Obama told them how to rank the states. Oh wait, no, it's Obama's fault because Michelle is making people eat broccoli but FEMA cut off the supply of fresh vegetables to Alabama and West Virginia...

[KenB23]

08:40 PM on 08/16/2012

Can't deny the fact that all but one (Michigan) of the top ten obese states are red (Republican) states.

[spkninglsh]

01:39 AM on 08/17/2012

All that fat diminishes memory and thinking skills.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/71742/title/Obesity_messes_with_the_brain

[CHARLIE X]

05:49 PM on 08/16/2012

must be all those "starving" UAW workers in Michigan that put us on the list.

[northwestbear]

11:18 AM on 08/16/2012

We do need to get away from eating so much fast food and processed foods. I just completed a nutrition class at my local community college. Really interesting. One of the things we had to do was keep a food diary and then put the information into a computer program that analyzed our choices. One of the things that came out of that for me was the realization that there are a lot of "hidden fats" in processed products. I thought I was making good food choices and choosing healthy fats. My analysis showed I was getting 37% of my fats as saturated fats - this number should ideally be about 10%. As others have stated, the use of cheap ingredients such as HFCS packs a lot of calories into processed foods. Eating as many "whole" foods as possible is so important, and I know people are busy, but eat more at home where you have more control over what is going into your meals.

[Quinton Aiken]

10:57 AM on 08/17/2012

Faved and Fanned, due to an outstanding demonstration of intelligence and balanced thought.

[blanche1dubois]

09:25 AM on 08/16/2012

I find it hard to believe that people truly do not know healthy from unhealthy. An apple or a few carrots are no more expensive than fried-whatever. And walking and/or running don't cost a thing. Excuses, plain and simple.

[BriS]

05:45 PM on 08/16/2012

In my experience, it isn't necessarily about the expense, it's about ease. Many people find it easier to drive through Jack-in-the-Box for dinner than to shop for fresh foods at the market and prepare them at home.

[Black Rhino]

04:13 PM on 08/17/2012

Then most people deserve the diabetes they'll incur.

[paul87920]

03:35 AM on 08/17/2012

It's portions and convenience. There are also foods that would outwardly seem healthy that aren't. Arby's "Market Fresh" Sandwiches are one of the worst offenders. Men's Health had an article on 20 Salads with more calories than a Whopper.

People also seem to be blissfully unaware that they are drinking their calories too. Soda, energy drinks, alcohol, juice...

[Absolute]

07:55 AM on 08/16/2012

Do we have an obesity problem? Yes

Are BMI tables good science? No

[Skellington 187]

03:30 PM on 08/18/2012

Thank You! I've been trying to get things like this through peoples heads for years, but it never works. My ex-wife was just over the BMI line for "obese" and I myself am just under "ideal" (or whatever it's called). Yet when full physicals are looked at she was just as healthy, and in some cases more so, than I.

[MHB48]

07:36 AM on 08/16/2012

HEY! HEY! Be careful with the picture you're posting there HP! Some may find it upsetting and not suitable for younger eyes.....LOL!

[elendil3136]

01:47 AM on 08/16/2012

Has anybody checked to see if there is any corelation between the percentage of fat people and the number of Wal-marts per state? Just wondering.

[BriS]

05:47 PM on 08/16/2012

No, but I notice that all the obese states are RED. There must be a correlation between conservative values and celulite!

[elendil3136]

11:48 PM on 08/16/2012

Is that why they are sometimes referred to by intellegent people as "fatheads"?

[MJinCanada]

09:53 PM on 08/16/2012

I think there may be a lot of correlations with things like available parks and hiking trails and outdoor sports, or with the number of fast food places vs neighbourhoods with supermarkets, or with reliance on vehicles.

There should be a major correlation with family income too -- because poor people often look to cheap fast food instead of more expensive fruits and vegetables, especially when they live in places with crappy little refrigerators, or are working two jobs to make ends meet.