New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided insight into the prevalence of obesity across the United States.
The figures, initially from the 2023 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps but updated on September 12, 2024, shows that every state in the U.S. has an obesity rate of over 20 percent.
The data also shows that in 23 states, over one in three adults — 35 percent — are living with obesity. Prior to 2013, not a single state had 35 percent or more adults living with obesity.
Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said in a press release on September 12: “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.”
The CDC defines obesity as anyone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Per the CDC, the label of “obesity” classifies a weight that is higher than what is healthy for a person’s height as it is believed to increase the risk of a person developing health problems.
A CDC spokesperson told Newsweek, “People with obesity are at increased risk for stigmatization and isolation, and unfortunately bias against those with excess weight is common across many settings in a community, including health care. This can lead to poor social, economic, physical, and emotional health consequences.”
The report shows that the lowest rates of obesity are in Colorado and Washington D.C. This differs from previous figures that listed Hawaii as the country’s least obese state.
The CDC also broke down data by education level, showing that 36.5 percent of adults without a high school degree or equivalent have obesity compared to 27.1 percent of college graduates. However, 35.7 percent of people with some college education are classed as having obesity.
M. Spencer Green/Associated Press
The states that now have an adult population of 40 percent or more living with obesity are Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia.
The CDC spokesperson told Newsweek, “Reducing obesity rates is a long-term societal effort that requires officials, organizations, and people to work together to create communities, environments, and systems that support healthy, active lifestyles for all.”
A spokesperson for the West Virginia Department of Health spoke to Newsweek about the state’s effort to combat obesity, saying: “The West Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease has made significant strides in addressing obesity through innovative programs and partnerships with organizations such as Active Southern West Virginia, Center for ActiveWV, and Try This West Virginia. These collaborations focus on enhancing nutrition and increasing physical activity across various demographics”
They told Newsweek that these programs are focused on a range of measures including looking at policies, systems to improve physical activity, nutrition, tobacco prevention, work wellness initiatives, and children’s activities such as sports clubs.
The Arkansas and Mississippi departments of public health have been contacted for comment.
The CDC spokesperson told Newsweek, “Reducing obesity rates is a long-term societal effort that requires officials, organizations, and people to work together to create communities, environments, and systems that support healthy, active lifestyles for all.”
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact [email protected]
