Obesity Rates Are Up From 2016

In 2017, 7 states reported an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%, up from 5 states in 2016. In 2012, obesity prevalence was lower than 35% in all states. The new data, from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, are detailed in the CDC’s 2017 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps,  www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html.

The highest levels were in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. The lowest prevalence was 22.6% in Colorado. Adults aged 45 to54 years were twice as likely as young adults to report obesity (36% vs 17%). Non-Hispanic blacks had the highest prevalence (39%), followed by Hispanics (32.4%), and non-Hispanic whites (29.3%). When education was factored in, adults without a high school degree had the highest prevalence at 35.6%; high school graduates, 32.9%; adults with some college, 31.9%; and college graduates, 22.7%.

Maps showing obesity levels overall, as well as by race and ethnicity, are also available for 2011 through 2016.

In 2017, 7 states reported an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%, up from 5 states in 2016. In 2012, obesity prevalence was lower than 35% in all states. The new data, from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, are detailed in the CDC’s 2017 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps,  www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html.

The highest levels were in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. The lowest prevalence was 22.6% in Colorado. Adults aged 45 to54 years were twice as likely as young adults to report obesity (36% vs 17%). Non-Hispanic blacks had the highest prevalence (39%), followed by Hispanics (32.4%), and non-Hispanic whites (29.3%). When education was factored in, adults without a high school degree had the highest prevalence at 35.6%; high school graduates, 32.9%; adults with some college, 31.9%; and college graduates, 22.7%.

Maps showing obesity levels overall, as well as by race and ethnicity, are also available for 2011 through 2016.

In 2017, 7 states reported an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%, up from 5 states in 2016. In 2012, obesity prevalence was lower than 35% in all states. The new data, from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, are detailed in the CDC’s 2017 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps,  www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html.

The highest levels were in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. The lowest prevalence was 22.6% in Colorado. Adults aged 45 to54 years were twice as likely as young adults to report obesity (36% vs 17%). Non-Hispanic blacks had the highest prevalence (39%), followed by Hispanics (32.4%), and non-Hispanic whites (29.3%). When education was factored in, adults without a high school degree had the highest prevalence at 35.6%; high school graduates, 32.9%; adults with some college, 31.9%; and college graduates, 22.7%.

Maps showing obesity levels overall, as well as by race and ethnicity, are also available for 2011 through 2016.