The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new population data from 2023, revealing that more than one in three adults (35%) in 23 U.S. states are living with obesity. This marks a significant shift, as no state had reached this threshold before 2013. The report also confirms that at least 20% of adults in every U.S. state are currently affected by obesity.
"This new data highlight the need for obesity prevention and treatment options, which start with building healthier communities where people of all ages have safe places for physical activity, and where health care and healthy food options are accessible and affordable for all," said Dr. Karen Hacker, director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Dr. Hacker emphasized the importance of early prevention, noting the correlation between childhood obesity and adult obesity.
The states with the highest adult obesity rates—35% or higher—include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Guam and Puerto Rico also had obesity rates exceeding 35%.
The data, sourced from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), reflect self-reported height and weight measurements. Racial and ethnic disparities were highlighted, with obesity impacting some groups more than others. For instance, Asian adults in the 37 states surveyed did not have an obesity prevalence at or above 35%, while the same threshold was reached by White adults in 16 states, American Indian or Alaska Native adults in 30 states, Hispanic adults in 34 states, and Black adults in 38 states.
"Obesity is a complex disease. There's a common misconception that obesity is a result of lack of willpower and individual failings to eat well and exercise," said Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. She stressed that genetic, environmental, and societal factors—such as access to affordable food and safe spaces for physical activity—play a role in the obesity epidemic.
The CDC continues to partner with communities, states, and tribes to combat obesity, with programs like SPAN, HOP, and REACH, which aim to improve access to healthy food, create safe spaces for physical activity, and promote stigma-free treatment. These initiatives currently support 17 states, 50 community and tribal organizations, and 16 land grant universities.
As part of obesity treatment, medications like GLP-1s, recently approved by the FDA, may be combined with behavioral and lifestyle interventions. Obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, increases the risk for various health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It can also lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety and poor body image, driven by social stigma.
