It is no mystery that America has an unhealthy relationship with junk food. While we would never shame someone for having any kind of body, we do feel that the United States of America has an alarming amount of obese and overweight individuals. To best summarize the problem, we have ranked the country’s fifty states by their obesity rates. If your state happens to be on this list, then you might want to start making a change by eating healthily and exercising. Many people feel like this is easier said than done, but putting things into perspective helps individuals to make personal changes when they realize the severity of the situation. Without further ado, here are America’s heaviest states. It is time for us, as a nation, to address our overreliance on comfort eating!
We Used The Obesity Rate To Rank The Most Overweight States In America
54.Colorado – 22.6% Obesity Rate
Colorado is actually the thinnest state in America, with the lowest obesity rate in the country with a 22.6% rate. While Colorado’s active population might excel at counting calories, there is a worrying rise in obesity within the health-focused state. This threat mainly affects older folks aged between 45 and 64 years. As you can imagine, this vitality-focused local government has taken a stand against the rising number of overweight people by introducing new laws and spreading awareness.
Colorado
53.District of Columbia – 23% Obesity Rate
Here we have some uplifting news – the District of Columbia managed to lessen its obesity rate by 1.9% from 2011 to 2012. As with Colorado, the District’s middle-aged population suffers the worst from obesity. Nevertheless, the District of Columbia is the runner-up for the thinnest state, or rather, it has the second-lowest obesity rate in the country, being only slightly ahead of Colorado. As for the youth, 17.8% could lose some weight while 17.7% are obese. A combination of insufficiently healthy diets and a lack of exercise make some of the District of Columbia’s children too hefty.
Columbia
52.Hawaii – 23.8% Obesity Rate
We now fly to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, where obesity has indeed reached the island state’s shores, but nowhere nearly as severely as the mainland. Still, many Hawaiians are shamefully lazy, with 23.5% of the majority refusing to participate in exercise of any form. You might not believe that a place with so much luscious fruit would struggle to eat healthily, but 37% of Hawaii’s adult population does not eat naturally! It seems like no matter where you go in America, there will be people that refuse to be healthy.
Hawaii
51.California – 25.1% Obesity Rate
Next up we have California ranking in 4th out of 50 states for obesity. Almost one-quarter of the majority in the surfer state satisfies the obesity requirements. A 12.7% standard obesity rate covers the young Californian adults, with those aged 18 to 25. As for the older population, we have 24% of those aged between 26 and 44, 31% of those aged 45 to 64, and 24.4% of people older than 65 years being obese. Thankfully, California does not need to add obesity to its range of alarming issues.
California
50.Massachusetts – 25.2% Obesity Rate
We now dial things back by a moderate percentage with Massachusetts’ 25.2% obesity rate. 2015 saw a satisfying obesity rate drop within the state that launched a successful campaign for health. This involved health officials promoting the cleanliness and benefits of drinking water while ensuring that public institutions were feeding employees and students correctly and that everyone was on board with exercise. This is the ideal recipe for a healthy and active lifestyle, but it can only work if the target markets are enthusiastic about it and willing to participate.
Massachusetts
49.Montana – 25.3% Obesity Rate
Montana is another state that has managed to keep obesity largely in check, doing only slightly worse than California with a 25.3% obesity rate. Montana’s public health programs have championed major population centers like hospitals and schools’ eating standards by enforcing the serving of healthy meals. Overall, Montana has made impressive strides toward combatting the effects of obesity and the heftier states could learn a thing or two from this state’s good work and strategy.
Montana
48.Utah – 25.3% Obesity Rate
While Utah may be on the lower end of the obesity spectrum, it still has plenty of slack that it needs to pick up, given how the chronic illness is gaining momentum throughout the state. While its slowly climbing obesity rate may not be rising as quickly as many other states, Utah’s population still needs to take some radical steps if it wants to avoid becoming like some of the earlier-mentioned heavyweights. Come on Utah, you can do it!
Utah
47.Vermont – 26.6% Obesity Rate
Alright, let us take a break from the modern obesity standards and turn to Vermont, whose obesity rate is closer to that of the old national average at 26.6%. Vermont is then doing comparatively excellently when one considers how well its people treat dieting and exercise. This is not saying much, sadly, given how high so many states’ obesity rates are. Vermont is a hopeful place, however, and we do not doubt that they can flatten the curve in time.
Vermont
46.New Jersey – 27.7% Obesity Rate
New Jersey may have its fair share of social and economic issues, but obesity is not one of the most threatening, thankfully. That does not mean that its obesity rate is not a real danger, however, as it is slowly climbing in prevalence. 2020 saw a revolutionary initiative being put into place that will shake all its residents into a health-conscious action. Known as ‘Healthy New Jersey 2020,’ this program made some real progress toward the end of 2020.
New Jersey
45.Washington – 28.3% Obesity Rate
While Washington might have an insurrection to deal with at the moment, when the state is not fending off the QAnon-corrupted hordes it takes the fight to its obesity rate. While this might not be a rate that is as critical as some neighboring states, Washington has done its best to address the health issue. It has an average hypertension and diabetes rate, with youngsters aged between 10 and 17 suffering an 11.9% obesity rate. This standard is among the best rates in America.
Washington
44.Honorable Mention: Florida – 28.4% Obesity Rate
While Florida is largely stereotyped as having a wild and violent population, did you know that it also has a lot of obese people, with a 28.4% obesity rate? Like most other states with an overweight problem, The Florida Department of Health has done its best to curb both its high crime levels and obesity rate. It fights the latter issue by trying to inspire Floridians to work out more and eat healthier through targeted programs within both school cafeterias and workplaces.
Florida
43.Honorable Mention Wyoming – 28.8% Obesity Rate
Wyoming might have a 28.8% obesity rate, but incredibly, this is a slightly lower level when compared to the national average. When a population somehow manages to choke down bison burgers and elk, you can bet that they will be amazingly well-fed! The picture below shows the average Wyoming meal of chicken fried steak, two fried eggs, and plenty of hash browns. We would love to see more salads on Wyoming diner’s plates, but we doubt that will happen any time soon…
Honorable Mention Wyoming
42.Honorable Mention: Maine – 29.1% Obesity Rate
New England’s biggest member suffers from a 29.1% obesity rate, making it the runner-up to the heaviest state in the region at large. NBC News recently hosted a health official who put the following theory forward to explain the fatty situation. According to him, Maine’s population struggles to access 'fresh fruit and produce' due to its rural nature, meaning that much of its people cannot afford wholesome meals. This is a sad state of dietary affairs.
Maine
41.Connecticut – 29.1% Obesity Rate
The United States has a serious obesity problem, with one-third of its total population suffering from obesity. Connecticut departs from the previously mentioned states’ mostly passable obesity rates with a massive jump to 29.1%. It is then unsurprising to hear that Connecticut’s denizens refuse to eat vegetables for each meal of the day, with 71.5% of its population almost being carnivores. Tut-tut, Connecticut, did your kids not pay attention during biology class? Vegetables and fruits are essential for optimum health!
Connecticut
40.Honorable Mention: Idaho – 29.3% Obesity Rate
Idaho is famous for its huckleberry, which is used to make syrup, ice cream, and cheesecake. It is funny how people can turn anything healthy into something sinfully sugary! At least that is what the many secretive huckleberry farms scattered across Idaho that are owned by private groups do. They might want to reconsider their marketing strategies, however, given that people are taking this whole dessert thing too far with a 29.3% obesity rate in this state.
Idaho
39.Honorable Mention: Oregon – 29.4% Obesity Rate
When you think of Oregonians, you generally picture wiry individuals hiking mountains and eating modestly, right? Wrong! Oregon is far fatter than most of its neighboring states and its people struggle with exercise and dieting. Of course, the good people in charge of Oregon are doing their best to convince the population to change their ways, with little success. This is what one Oregon health official had to say about their efforts: 'We’ve been able to stay pretty flat which was our intention given the resources that we have to address obesity.'
Oregon
38.Honorable Mention: Arizona – 29.5% Obesity Rate
Tragically, Arizona suffers from a 29.5% obesity rate. But to the state’s credit, the people here have banded together to level the rate, largely thanks to its local government’s heroic efforts. Still, as mentioned before, you are only truly winning when you begin to lighten your population’s BMI. Arizona adores its neighboring country’s cuisine, and the fast-food versions of Mexican fare are not considered the healthiest. Burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas are all gobbled down enthusiastically daily by Arizonians.
Arizona
37.Honorable Mention: Rhode Island – 30% Obesity Rate
Many people hilariously mistake Rhode Island for being a real island, much to its population’s irritation. What Rhode Island does have, however, is a mouthwatering selection of seafood! If you love traditional "fish and chips" like the English do, with a thick and crispy batter, then Rhode Island is the place to be. This penchant for deep-fried seafood has resulted in – according to The World Population Review – a 30% obesity rate for Rhode Island. We love this dedication to data, even if it yields little in the way of changes in America’s most obese states.
Honorable Mention Rhode Island
36.Minnesota – 30.1% Obesity Rate
Minnesota may have capped its obesity rate between 2018 and 2019, but now it is time to begin reversing the effects of its 30.1% obesity rate. This means that nearly one-third of all Minnesotans suffer from obesity. We do need to commend Minnesota for remaining underneath the national obesity average, however, and for being a leader in the field compared to its neighboring states. The three Dakota states all suffer from an obesity rate that exceeds 33%.
Minnesota
35.Honorable Mention: Virginia – 30.1% Obesity Rate
Virginia is no stranger to the battle against obesity, having suffered greatly for many years with an excessive amount of unhealthily overweight citizens. The Center for Disease Control handed the state $375,000 in 2015 to better help Virginians' efforts to enjoy healthy food as well as to motivate them to work out more. If you concluded that this mission was all in vain, and that the funds were mostly wasted, you were largely and sadly correct.
Virginia
34.Nevada – 30.6% Obesity Rate
Nevada is doing its best to cope with its burgeoning rate of cardiovascular disease and diabetes which are byproducts of its rising obesity rate. Like with so many other states doing their best to tackle their respective obesity crises, Nevada’s foundling health policies established to fight obesity have achieved little. That being said, the state passed a rarely seen law that enforces the creation of acceptably healthy school cafeteria menus. We hope that the younger generations will be spared the consequences of unhealthy habits.
Nevada
33.Honorable Mention: Illinois – 31% Obesity Rate
Illinois is the place where you can find the cheesy and meaty legendary meal called the ‘horseshoe sandwich.’ This monstrosity consists of an open sandwich loaded with cheesy fries, hamburger or sandwich meat, and whatever else the chef decides to pile on, but sausage gravy is generally considered essential. Sounds absolutely scrumptious, but certainly a recipe for disaster. If the horseshow sandwich is considered a normal meal in Illinois, we would hate to see what is considered crazy!
Honorable Mention Illinois
32.Honorable Mention: Maryland – 31.3% Obesity Rate
Maryland? More like Crabland! This state is the epicenter of crab buffets, with many restaurants promoting their endless supply of the pinching crustaceans. Crab is a superb delicacy, so we cannot blame people for going a bit too far with their seafood diets. These crab peddlers do need to tone it down, however, with 23% of Marylanders suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure hitting 45% of the population, and high cholesterol striking 47%. Some serious health concerns for the seafood center of America.
Maryland
31.Pennsylvania – 31.6% Obesity Rate
We begin our list with Pennsylvania, a state famous (or notorious, depending on where you stand) for its cheesesteak joints. There is no doubt that this much-loved greasy sandwich is a lead contributor to Pennsylvania’s struggle with unhealthy eating. While we would rarely turn down one of these delightfully meaty and cheesy treats, eating them regularly will undoubtedly force you to loosen your belt over time. The childhood obesity rate here happens to rank 9th in the country.
Pennsylvania
30.Georgia – 31.6% Obesity Rate
It is a real shame to see this state on the list, seeing as Georgia was not the worst offender in the obesity scale back in 2012. This did not mean that the state’s health officials were commendable in inspiring their population to eat healthily and exercise, however, with a 28% obesity rate. Georgian peaches may be healthy on their own, at least until people use them to bake a wide range of sugary confectionaries. As for Georgian children, they rank 18th on the child obesity scale.
Georgia
29.New Mexico – 31.7% Obesity Rate
New Mexico’s formerly glorious obesity rate has sadly risen sharply in the past few years, much to its government’s misery. More than two decades ago, the state, like all its neighbors, had an obesity rate well below 25%. The passage of time brought much in the way of excessive eating to the New Mexico population that steadily began struggling with all the junk food on offer. Today, New Mexico is doing its best to undo the damages of the recent past with specialized programs mostly focusing on children.
New Mexico
28.New Hampshire – 31.8% Obesity Rate
New Hampshire might not have the highest obesity rate in the country, but it still has a massive problem with weight. Almost 66% of its adult population is obese or overweight, while nearly 25% of its youth suffers from the same issues. One slightly positive development (or stagnation) for New Hampshire is that this rate has leveled out for around half a decade. All those involved with feeding the New Hampshire need to band together to lessen the burden that diet-related chronic illnesses have on the population.
New Hampshire
27.Delaware – 31.8% Obesity Rate
Delaware’s health and human services division revealed that less than 40% of the state’s people land in the recommended weight bracket. Almost 33% of its residents, aged between 18 and 25, are in the overweight range. And things just get worse for the older generations, with more than half of those aged between 25 to 34 refuse to diet. When we look at the age bracket of 45 to 65, however, things become incredibly worrying, with 58.6% of this mature age group being overweight or obese.
Delaware
26.South Dakota – 31.9% Obesity Rate
South Dakota was struggling with its obesity rate in 2016 with 29.6% of its population struggling with their weight. In 2019, this rate rose to 31.9%. Such an increase granted this state a position in our list. This alarming obesity rate is made up of a few particularly hard-hit groups, including those without university degrees, people whose yearly salaries range between $25,000 and $34,999, as well as American Indians. The last group happens to tragically be the most obese in the United States.
South Dakota
25.Wisconsin – 32% Obesity Rate
If you are a fan of Wisconsin’s magnificent cheeses, then you might not be surprised to learn that this state’s population is among the most obese in the country. Thankfully, Wisconsin’s youth have been spared the negative outcomes of an obsession with dairy, being relatively healthy. The University of Wisconsin’s School of Public Health embarked on a study to establish which parts of the state contain the most obese people by using zip codes. The study revealed that there are parts of Wisconsin where residents have a quadruple chance of being overweight!
Wisconsin
24.North Carolina – 32.1% Obesity Rate
North Carolina is one of the comfort food centers of America, what with its pimento cheese fondue, Carolina-style barbecue, and shrimp and grits staples. Krispy Kreme Donuts was born in the state, which should give you some indication of how much these people love their treats, as well as how high its obesity rate is. Being a celebrated contributor to the American comfort food scene is bound to put you up there with the nation’s leading heavyweights.
North Carolina
23.Michigan – 32.3% Obesity Rate
Almost 33% of this state’s population is obese! There is light at the end of the tunnel for Michigan, however, given that its obesity rate declined from 2018 to 2017. Youths in the 10 to 17 years bracket have an 18.9% obesity rate, which is not the worst that we have heard but still concerning. Health officials really need to tackle school cafeteria menus if they want to turn this staggering rate around. But there is a more worrying contributor to this youth obesity rate, which is the high number of youngsters that fail to graduate in Michigan. Studies have proven a correlation between inadequate education standards and a predisposition for obesity.
Michigan
22.Kansas – 32.4% Obesity Rate
Kansas not only has a uniquely high obesity rate, this state’s population also enjoys some of the most distinctive cuisines in America. Its population’s preferred comfort food includes “lefse,” “bierocks,” “zwiebach,” and “loose meat sandwiches.” You can take your pick from this fatty range of delights, all of which will satisfy your daily caloric intake after a few bites. Between 2014 and 2015, Kansas suffered a steep elevation in its obesity rate, as observed by the Kansas Health Foundations. While the obesity rate in Kansas recently hit a plateau, obviously a decrease would be preferable.
Kansas
21.Puerto Rico – 32.5% Obesity Rate
You might not believe it, but Puerto Rico is an American territory and therefore qualifies to be on this list, largely thanks to its radical obesity rate. The Puerto Rican people have not had the easiest ride historically, and the effects of such social and economic strife have resulted in the knock-on effect of a high obesity rate. Those who failed to graduate from high school were shown to be at higher risk from obesity than their better-qualified citizens.
Puerto Rico
20.Missouri – 32.5% Obesity Rate
Missourians love to put decadent spins on Italian meals, with extravagant dishes like “toasted ravioli” being a firm favorite among the state’s population. The city of St. Louis can be thanked for much of this state’s generous cuisine. While many Italians would find this very American edition of their cuisine highly offensive, that does not take away from its extreme popularity. You might not believe that Missouri’s obesity rate is only 32.5% when you discover that around 66% of its adult population is obese.
Missouri
19.Tennessee – 32.8% Obesity Rate
Those heading down to Tennessee on a delicatessen pilgrimage can expect to be treated to a very hospitable fare of fried deliciousness. In fact, it is difficult to find anything that has not been fried at your average Tennessee restaurant, as this state’s chefs love their deep friers almost as much as they do Southern hospitality. Let us not forget about the barbecue culture, however, which when combined with the oily side of their cuisine results in a 32.8% obesity rate.
Tennessee
18.Nebraska – 32.8% Obesity Rate
While Nebraska might have an equal obesity rate to that of Tennessee, the state sadly does not share its acclaim in local cuisine. This agricultural American powerhouse is best known for its endless cornfields. While the Nebraskan government recognizes that its obesity crisis has gotten out of hand, its efforts have produced little to be proud of. One of the local authorities’ most infamous proposals was to tax soda drinks and candy at a higher level than other foods, which obviously never came to be. More wholesome meals are starting to be served within public schools, however.
Nebraska
17.Texas – 33% Obesity Rate
Texans are not lying when they claim that their state produces a larger version of anything that you could imagine, including people! 33% of the Texan majority struggles with obesity. Add in the total overweight percentage of the total population and you have a staggering health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 65.9% of Texans have exceeded the suggested BMI. This is also an incredibly inactive population, with 27.3% of Texans having admitted that they refused to work out throughout an entire month.
Texas
16.North Dakota – 33.2% Obesity Rate
All the way back in 1985, none of America’s states suffered from an obesity rate that exceeded 15%. In 1991, this limit rose to more than 20%. Things worsened in North Dakota drastically, to the current height of its modern obesity rate of 33.2%. Only 29% of North Dakotans are members of the recommended BMI club. The state’s rural parts are home to North Dakota’s most obese population. 1 in 10 people in North Dakota suffers from diabetes, while high blood pressure affects 29.5% of the population.
North Dakota
15.Guam – 33.6%
We are now returning to dangerous obesity rates with Guam’s 33.6%. As with many states struggling to convince their populations to reconsider their unhealthy habits, Guam has steadily worsened over time with its weight problems. This state has a particularly lethal problem with obesity, with almost 60% of its fatalities being linked to chronic illnesses caused by unwise life choices and eating habits. While this may something for its low crime rates, it seems like doughnuts are more dangerous than firearms in Guam.
Guam
14.Indiana – 33.6% Obesity Rate
Indiana has always had one of America’s beefier populations with an obesity rate that peaked years ago back in 2013 with 31% and has barely increased since. 2019 saw this rate crawl up to 33.6%. Stability does not mean positivity, however, as its overweight population seems stuck in its ways. According to the director of Trust for America’s Health, “The state really needs to step back and say ‘what can we do more of, what evidence-based programs do we need to put in place, and what is a more comprehensive approach to obesity prevention that we need to embrace?’”
Indiana
13.Ohio – 33.8% Obesity Rate
We now reach a truly concerning state’s obesity rate, with Ohio’s being 33.8%. Children are particularly poorly fed in this state, where 16.6% of youths aged between 10 and 17 suffer from obesity. While this may seem like a shocking statistic, it is frighteningly similar to the national childhood obesity average of 14.3%. In the face of such extreme figures, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is positive that they can be reversed. 2016 saw a small dip in this threatening rate before escalating once more.
Ohio
12.North Carolina – 34% Obesity Rate
North Carolina ups the obesity scale significantly with a 34% obesity rate. All the way back in 2016, the state realized that it was facing a real weight crisis and established a program that aimed to turn its health issues around. This body was called the State Public Health Actions program. The goal here was to establish a variety of services that the public could use to introduce more exercise into their lifestyles and daily activities.
North Carolina
11.Nebraska – 34.1% Obesity Rate
Nebraska is one of many alarming states when it comes to obesity rates, one that has continued to rise throughout recent years. From 2013 onward the state witnessed a skyrocketing obesity rate that led to more than one-third of its total population suffering from obesity. Various health-focused programs have been put in place to try and remedy the situation, but it seems like their scattered efforts have failed to convince a population addicted to sugar.
Nebraska
10.South Carolina – 34.1% Obesity Rate
We have now reached a catastrophic obesity rate with South Carolina’s leading 34.1%. You can blame the state’s worship of soul food for its sizeable population, with fried okra, rich grits, collard greens, she-crab soup, and pecan pies being standard fare. Even the fittest, no-nonsense health fanatic may buckle under the temptation of such mouth-wateringly indulgent cuisine, and so you can imagine how difficult it is for the average South Carolinian. This is one of the heaviest populations in America.
South Carolina
9.Alaska – 34.2% Obesity Rate
Alaska’s obesity rate has doubled (and then some) since 1991. Three decades ago, the state only had an obesity rate of 13%. Few can rationalize how things got so bad in Alaska over the years, given how hard Alaskan health officials push healthy eating to young school kids. Researchers believe that Alaska’s prohibitively expensive healthy food pushes many into relying on junk and fast food to get by. Certainly, much of America’s overweight problem is based on inaccessibly costly wholesome ingredients.
Alaska
8.Kentucky – 34.3% Obesity Rate
We finally reached the state famous for a certain world-famous fried chicken. Kentucky suffered from a criminal obesity rate of 37% in 2018, and despite having dropped amazingly to 34.3% in 2020, there is still much work (and working out) to be done. Between 2016 and 2017, Kentucky ranked second in the youth obesity rate. Again, having the majority of its population cut off from healthy food is a leading contributor to this state’s obesity epidemic.
Kentucky
7.Arkansas – 35% Obesity Rate
Arkansas is a state where eating together is an essential part of the state’s culture. Family feasts are mandatory, and no trip to Arkansas is complete without a proper induction into Southern hospitality. Poultry, fish, and beef are all gobbled up in massive quantities while the 35% obesity rate continues to climb. You might be wondering why obesity is such a problem in the Southern states, and it is thanks to a love for fried food that plus-sized clothing will never go out of fashion in these parts. That, and the large poverty rates that plague many Southern states.
Arkansas
6.Louisiana – 36.2% Obesity Rate
Louisiana is the stereotypical center of Southern soul food, particularly in the seafood department with crawfish being a firm favorite. Then there is fiery jambalaya, generous gumbo, pralines, and po’boy sandwiches! No Louisianans are spared the struggles of obesity, with 13.2% of babies and toddlers fitting the requirements. Teenagers are then hit with a 17% obesity rate. Sadly, African Americans are the most prone to obesity in the state, closely followed by Latinos. It is time for a clean-eating revolution!
Louisiana
5.Alabama – 36.3% Obesity Rate
What is chicken fried steak, you may ask? You should really know what Alabama’s famous and beloved dish is before you visit. It is a beefsteak deep-fried in the way that a Southerner generally would fried chicken! With only 31% of Alabamians managing to stay within the recommended BMI, the state’s 36.3% obesity rate is hardly surprising. Another interesting 31% figure pertains to the number of Alabamians that did not engage in anything active for an entire month.
Alabama
4.Iowa – 36.4% Obesity Rate
You only need to visit the Iowa State Fair to understand why this Southern state suffers from such a high obesity rate. At this otherwise jolly festival, you will find over-the-top creations like chicken wings wrapped in bacon, a pecan pie dunked in caramel, large balls of pure bacon, and a variety of milkshakes produced by blending entire cakes with ice cream. This celebration of clogged arteries is a microcosm of the Iowan culture, one that needs a radical overhaul.
Iowa
3.Oklahoma – 36.5% Obesity Rate
If you are a child aged between 10 and 17 in Oklahoma, then you have an 18% chance of being obese. Oklahoma ranks sixth on the most obese children in the United States list. Throughout the last thirty years, Oklahoma’s age bracket between 6 and 11 has doubled in its obesity rate. As for youths aged between 12 and 19, this rate has quadrupled. Officials have named sugary drinks as the main culprit for this skyrocketing obesity rate among kids, who adore energy drinks and soda.
Oklahoma
2.Mississippi – 37.3% Obesity Rate
Mississippi is another place where you can sit down for some calorie-loaded deliciousness like chocolatey mud pies and spicy blue crab stew, among many others. This dedication to unhealthy food has brought the state to one of the highest obesity rates within the country. Sadly, there is but one state that has overcome this obesity crisis. With 37.3% of Mississippi’s adult population having indulged to extreme levels, you can bet that this problem is not going to go anywhere soon.
Mississippi
1.West Virginia – 38.1% Obesity Rate
Well, we finally made it – the most obese and overweight state in the whole of America. West Virginia’s obesity rate dwarfs that of any other state with a crushing 38.1%. As you can imagine, this obesity crisis is the most concerning public health issue in the state. Things are so bad in West Virginia obesity-wise that between $1.4 and $1.8 billion have been spent on related medical bills. Companies also suffer from employing so many heavily overweight workers struggling to reach their targets, with each obese employee wasting $506 annually.
West Virginia