Obesity Rates Vary Across US States, New CDC Data Reveals

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that obesity rates are increasing across the United States. In 2022, 22 states had at least 35% of adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, with West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Louisiana having the highest rates. Conversely, Washington, DC, Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, the Virgin Islands, Massachusetts, and California had the lowest prevalence of obesity. The Midwest and South regions had the highest prevalence, followed by the Northeast and the West. Obesity is associated with various health issues and is a leading cause of preventable premature death, as well as an economic burden.