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U.S. Obesity Statistics 2026: Rates by State, Age, and Demographics

U.S. Obesity Statistics 2026: Rates by State, Age, and Demographics

Last updated: August 2026

Obesity remains one of the most important public health challenges in the United States. The latest available CDC state-level data show that in 2024, every U.S. state and territory covered by the CDC had an adult obesity prevalence of at least 25%. (CDC)

This guide examines the latest available U.S. obesity statistics, including differences by state, region, age, race and ethnicity, and education level.

Key U.S. Obesity Statistics

According to the latest CDC data:

  • At least 25% of adults had obesity in every U.S. state and territory covered by the CDC’s 2024 maps.
  • Mississippi and West Virginia had adult obesity prevalence of 40% or higher.
  • Guam also had an obesity prevalence of 40% or higher.
  • The Midwest had the highest regional adult obesity prevalence at 35.9%.
  • The South followed at 34.5%.
  • The Northeast had a prevalence of 30.3%.
  • The West had a prevalence of 30.2%.
  • Among adults ages 18–39, 7 geographic areas had an obesity prevalence of at least 35%.
  • Among adults ages 40–59, 46 geographic areas had an obesity prevalence of at least 35%.
  • Among adults ages 60 and older, 4 states had an obesity prevalence of at least 35%. (CDC)

Nationally measured data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that 40.3% of U.S. adults age 20 and older had obesity during August 2021–August 2023. The prevalence was 39.2% among men and 41.3% among women. (CDC)

What Is Obesity?

For adults, obesity is generally defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.

BMI is calculated from a person’s height and weight and is commonly used as a screening measure.

BMI does not provide a complete picture of an individual’s health. A healthcare professional may consider other factors when evaluating a person’s weight, health risks, and treatment options.

Why Are There Different U.S. Obesity Statistics?

Two important CDC data systems are commonly used to measure obesity in the United States.

BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) provides state-level estimates using self-reported height and weight. This is the main source for the CDC’s 2024 state obesity maps. (CDC)

NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) uses measured height and weight and provides national estimates. The latest available NHANES estimate found a 40.3% obesity prevalence among adults age 20 and older during August 2021–August 2023. (CDC)

Because these systems use different methods, their percentages should not be treated as directly interchangeable.

U.S. Obesity Rates: What the Latest Data Tell Us

The latest CDC state-level data show that obesity is widespread across the United States.

In 2024:

  • 8 states and the District of Columbia had an adult obesity prevalence between 25% and less than 30%.
  • 22 states had a prevalence between 30% and less than 35%.
  • 17 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands had a prevalence between 35% and less than 40%.
  • Mississippi, West Virginia, and Guam had a prevalence of 40% or higher. (CDC)

These statistics demonstrate why national averages alone do not provide the complete picture of obesity in America.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, 2024 BRFSS data.

# U.S. Obesity Rate by State

The CDC’s 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps provide state-level estimates based on self-reported height and weight collected through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

In 2024, no U.S. state or territory included in the CDC’s analysis had an adult obesity prevalence below 25%. Two states — Mississippi and West Virginia — and the territory of Guam had obesity prevalence of 40% or higher. [oai_citation:1‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence by State

| State | Adult obesity prevalence |
|—|—:|
| Alabama | 38.9% |
| Alaska | 34.0% |
| Arizona | 33.3% |
| Arkansas | 38.9% |
| California | 29.1% |
| Colorado | 25.0% |
| Connecticut | 32.0% |
| Delaware | 36.6% |
| Florida | 29.6% |
| Georgia | 35.4% |
| Hawaii | 27.0% |
| Idaho | 32.7% |
| Illinois | 34.2% |
| Indiana | 38.4% |
| Iowa | 36.6% |
| Kansas | 37.6% |
| Kentucky | 37.2% |
| Louisiana | 39.2% |
| Maine | 33.2% |
| Maryland | 32.7% |
| Massachusetts | 27.0% |
| Michigan | 36.1% |
| Minnesota | 32.3% |
| Mississippi | 40.4% |
| Missouri | 34.6% |
| Montana | 31.0% |
| Nebraska | 37.6% |
| Nevada | 34.2% |
| New Hampshire | 31.1% |
| New Jersey | 27.7% |
| New Mexico | 34.5% |
| New York | 29.5% |
| North Carolina | 34.5% |
| North Dakota | 36.8% |
| Ohio | 36.9% |
| Oklahoma | 36.8% |
| Oregon | 33.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 34.2% |
| Rhode Island | 31.1% |
| South Carolina | 34.6% |
| South Dakota | 37.0% |
| Tennessee | Insufficient data |
| Texas | 35.6% |
| Utah | 31.0% |
| Vermont | 29.0% |
| Virginia | 32.3% |
| Washington | 31.5% |
| West Virginia | 41.4% |
| Wisconsin | 37.4% |
| Wyoming | 32.5% |

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2024. [oai_citation:2‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf)

## States With the Highest Adult Obesity Prevalence

West Virginia had the highest reported adult obesity prevalence among U.S. states in the CDC’s 2024 data, at **41.4%**.

Other states with particularly high prevalence included:

– Mississippi — **40.4%**
– Louisiana — **39.2%**
– Alabama — **38.9%**
– Arkansas — **38.9%**
– Indiana — **38.4%**
– Kansas — **37.6%**
– Nebraska — **37.6%**
– South Dakota — **37.0%**
– Ohio — **36.9%**
– Oklahoma — **36.8%**

Guam also had a prevalence of **40.2%**, although Guam is a U.S. territory rather than a state. [oai_citation:3‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf)

## States With the Lowest Adult Obesity Prevalence

Colorado reported the lowest adult obesity prevalence among the 50 states in the 2024 CDC data, at **25.0%**.

Other states with relatively low reported prevalence included:

– Hawaii — **27.0%**
– Massachusetts — **27.0%**
– New Jersey — **27.7%**
– California — **29.1%**
– Florida — **29.6%**
– New York — **29.5%**
– Vermont — **29.0%**

These are population-level surveillance estimates based on self-reported height and weight. They should not be interpreted as direct measurements of body fat. [oai_citation:4‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf)

## Obesity Prevalence by Region

The CDC’s 2024 data also show differences between major U.S. regions.

| Region | Adult obesity prevalence |
|—|—:|
| Midwest | 35.9% |
| South | 34.5% |
| Northeast | 30.3% |
| West | 30.2% |

The Midwest had the highest regional adult obesity prevalence, while the West had the lowest among the four major regions. [oai_citation:5‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## What the 2024 State Data Show

The CDC’s 2024 surveillance data show that adult obesity is widespread throughout the United States.

According to the CDC:

– **8 states and Washington, D.C.** had obesity prevalence between 25% and less than 30%.
– **22 states** had prevalence between 30% and less than 35%.
– **17 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands** had prevalence between 35% and less than 40%.
– **Mississippi, West Virginia, and Guam** had prevalence of 40% or higher.
– **Tennessee had insufficient data** for the 2024 overall estimate. [oai_citation:6‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf)

## Important Methodological Note

The CDC’s 2024 state estimates come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Height and weight used to calculate BMI were **self-reported** by survey participants. Adult obesity is defined as a BMI of **30 kg/m² or higher**. [oai_citation:7‡CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/media/pdfs/2025/12/2011-2024-overall-obesity-prevalence-map-508.pdf)

The CDC also provides 95% confidence intervals for these estimates. Small differences between states should therefore be interpreted carefully.

The estimates should not be directly compared with national NHANES estimates as if the two datasets used the same methodology.

**Primary source:** Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, BRFSS 2024.

Obesity by Age

Age is an important factor when examining obesity prevalence in the United States.

According to the CDC’s 2024 state-level BRFSS data, obesity prevalence varied considerably across age groups.

Adults ages 40–59 had the highest obesity prevalence among the major age groups examined.

In 2024:

  • 7 geographic areas had an obesity prevalence of at least 35% among adults ages 18–39.
  • 46 geographic areas had an obesity prevalence of at least 35% among adults ages 40–59.
  • 4 states had an obesity prevalence of at least 35% among adults age 60 and older.

These figures demonstrate that obesity prevalence can vary significantly depending on age and location.

National Obesity Estimates by Age

National measured data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) provide another way to examine obesity prevalence.

For August 2021–August 2023, obesity prevalence among adults age 20 and older was:

Age group Obesity prevalence
20–39 years 35.5%
40–59 years 46.4%
60 years and older 38.9%

Adults ages 40–59 had the highest national measured prevalence at 46.4%.

The NHANES estimates use measured height and weight, which differs from the self-reported information used by BRFSS.

Obesity by Race and Ethnicity

Obesity prevalence also varies across racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

The CDC’s combined 2022–2024 BRFSS data provide state- and territory-level information for several racial and ethnic populations.

Among geographic areas with sufficient data:

Population group Areas with obesity prevalence ≥35%
Non-Hispanic Asian adults 0
Non-Hispanic White adults 17
Hispanic adults 33
American Indian or Alaska Native adults 36
Non-Hispanic Black adults 41

These numbers describe population-level differences in reported obesity prevalence.

They should not be interpreted as meaning that race or ethnicity itself causes obesity.

Obesity is influenced by many factors, including social and economic conditions, food environments, opportunities for physical activity, healthcare access, genetics, medications, and other environmental and behavioral factors.

Why Demographic Differences Matter

Understanding demographic differences can help public health researchers and policymakers identify populations that may experience a greater burden of obesity.

However, population statistics should always be interpreted carefully.

An individual’s health cannot be determined solely from their age, race, ethnicity, education level, or state of residence.

Obesity and Education Level

Education level is another factor associated with differences in adult obesity prevalence.

According to the CDC’s 2024 BRFSS data, adult obesity prevalence varied by educational attainment.

Education level Adult obesity prevalence
Less than high school 37.6%
High school graduate or equivalent 35.4%
Some college 35.7%
College graduate 27.3%

The highest reported prevalence in this table was among adults with less than a high school education, while the lowest was among college graduates.

These figures describe an association and do not demonstrate that education level directly causes obesity.

Socioeconomic Factors and Obesity

The relationship between education, income, environment, and obesity is complex.

People’s ability to access healthy foods, safe places to exercise, preventive healthcare, transportation, and other resources can be influenced by socioeconomic circumstances.

For this reason, researchers often examine obesity together with multiple social determinants of health rather than focusing on a single factor.

How Obesity Statistics Differ Across Data Sources

When reading U.S. obesity statistics, it is important to understand where the numbers come from.

BRFSS

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a large telephone survey conducted across U.S. states and territories.

BRFSS is particularly useful for examining:

  • State-level obesity prevalence
  • Geographic differences
  • Demographic patterns
  • Trends over time

However, height and weight are generally self-reported.

NHANES

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey combines interviews with physical examinations.

Height and weight are measured, rather than simply reported by participants.

NHANES is particularly useful for producing national estimates of obesity and severe obesity.

Why BRFSS and NHANES Numbers Are Different

The two systems use different methods and populations.

BRFSS relies on self-reported height and weight, while NHANES uses measured height and weight.

As a result, their estimates may differ.

A reader should therefore avoid directly comparing a state BRFSS estimate with a national NHANES estimate as though they were produced using the same methodology.

Key Findings From the Latest Data

The latest CDC data reveal several important patterns:

  1. Obesity is widespread across the United States.
  2. Every state and territory covered by the CDC’s 2024 maps had an adult obesity prevalence of at least 25%.
  3. Obesity prevalence varies considerably by state and region.
  4. Adults ages 40–59 have particularly high obesity prevalence.
  5. Obesity prevalence differs among racial and ethnic populations.
  6. Education level is associated with differences in reported obesity prevalence.
  7. Different surveillance systems can produce different estimates because they use different measurement methods.

These findings demonstrate why it is important to look beyond a single national obesity percentage when studying the health of the U.S. population.

What These Statistics Do — and Do Not — Tell Us

Population statistics can help identify trends and differences across large groups.

However, they cannot determine whether a particular individual has obesity-related health risks.

A person’s health can depend on many factors, including:

  • Family history
  • Age
  • Medical conditions
  • Medications
  • Diet
  • Physical activity
  • Sleep
  • Stress
  • Socioeconomic circumstances
  • Access to healthcare

Anyone concerned about their weight or health should discuss their situation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Primary sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS/NHANES).

U.S. Obesity Trends Over Time

Understanding how obesity has changed over time is important for evaluating the health of the U.S. population.

The CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) uses measured height and weight to track national obesity trends.

In August 2021–August 2023, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults age 20 and older was 40.3%.

During the same period, 9.7% of adults had severe obesity. (CDC)

The CDC’s historical data show that adult obesity became substantially more common over the past several decades.

However, the most recent NHANES analysis found that the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among adults did not change significantly from 2013–2014 through August 2021–August 2023. (CDC)

A Long-Term Perspective

The CDC’s historical NHANES data allow researchers to examine obesity trends across multiple decades.

These data are particularly valuable because NHANES uses physical measurements rather than relying exclusively on self-reported height and weight.

For this reason, NHANES is an important source for understanding national obesity trends in the United States.

Health Conditions Associated With Obesity

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several chronic health conditions.

These can include:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Certain types of cancer
  • Sleep apnea
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Other chronic health conditions

Having obesity does not mean that a person will necessarily develop any of these conditions.

Individual risk depends on many factors, including age, genetics, lifestyle, existing medical conditions, medications, and other factors.

For people concerned about their weight or health, a healthcare professional can provide individualized guidance.

Healthy Weight Management

There is no single approach to maintaining or achieving a healthy weight that works for everyone.

Evidence-based approaches to weight management can include:

  • Eating a balanced and nutrient-rich diet
  • Regular physical activity
  • Getting adequate sleep
  • Managing stress
  • Reducing excessive consumption of sugary drinks and highly processed foods
  • Avoiding tobacco products
  • Regular healthcare visits when appropriate

For some people, lifestyle changes alone may not be sufficient.

Healthcare professionals may consider additional treatment options depending on an individual’s health, medical history, BMI, and other factors.

These options can include behavioral interventions, prescription medications, or metabolic and bariatric surgery for eligible patients.

Treatment decisions should always be made with a qualified healthcare professional.

Why U.S. Obesity Statistics Matter

Obesity statistics are useful because they help researchers, healthcare organizations, policymakers, journalists, and the public understand population health trends.

State-level data can reveal geographic differences.

Age-specific data can identify populations with higher prevalence.

Race and ethnicity data can help researchers investigate health disparities.

Education-level data can reveal associations between socioeconomic factors and health.

Together, these datasets provide a more complete picture than a single national percentage.

Key Takeaways

The latest available CDC data reveal several important findings:

  1. Obesity affects a large proportion of U.S. adults.
  2. The latest national measured estimate found obesity in 40.3% of adults age 20 and older during August 2021–August 2023.
  3. 9.7% of adults had severe obesity during the same period. (CDC)
  4. CDC state-level surveillance shows substantial differences in adult obesity prevalence across the United States.
  5. The Midwest and South have higher regional obesity prevalence than the Northeast and West in the CDC’s state-level data.
  6. Adults ages 40–59 have particularly high obesity prevalence.
  7. Obesity prevalence varies across racial and ethnic populations.
  8. Education level is associated with differences in obesity prevalence.
  9. BRFSS and NHANES use different methods, so their estimates should not be treated as directly interchangeable.
  10. Obesity statistics should always be interpreted in the context of the data source, year, population, and methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Obesity

What percentage of U.S. adults have obesity?

The latest national measured estimate from NHANES found that 40.3% of U.S. adults age 20 and older had obesity during August 2021–August 2023. (CDC)

What percentage of U.S. adults have severe obesity?

The latest national measured estimate found that 9.7% of adults age 20 and older had severe obesity during August 2021–August 2023. (CDC)

Which age group has the highest obesity prevalence?

Adults ages 40–59 had the highest obesity prevalence among the major age groups in the latest national measured NHANES data.

Is obesity increasing in the United States?

Long-term data show that adult obesity became substantially more common over the past several decades.

However, the CDC’s most recent NHANES analysis found no statistically significant change in age-adjusted adult obesity prevalence between 2013–2014 and August 2021–August 2023. (CDC)

What is the difference between obesity and severe obesity?

For adults, obesity is generally classified as a BMI of 30 or higher.

Severe obesity is generally classified as a BMI of 40 or higher.

BMI is a screening measure and does not directly measure body fat.

How is obesity measured in the United States?

Two major CDC surveillance systems are commonly used.

BRFSS collects self-reported height and weight and is particularly useful for state-level surveillance.

NHANES uses measured height and weight and is particularly useful for national estimates.

Because their methodologies differ, the resulting percentages can also differ. (CDC Data)

Can BMI determine whether someone is healthy?

No.

BMI is a screening tool and does not directly measure body fat, body-fat distribution, fitness, or overall health.

Healthcare professionals may consider several additional factors when evaluating an individual’s health.

What are some health conditions associated with obesity?

Obesity is associated with increased risk for conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and some cancers.

Individual risk varies from person to person.

Can obesity be treated?

Yes.

Weight management can involve lifestyle interventions, behavioral treatment, medications, and, for some eligible patients, metabolic or bariatric surgery.

The appropriate approach depends on the individual’s health and should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

Are U.S. obesity statistics updated every year?

Many CDC surveillance systems are updated regularly.

For example, the CDC’s BRFSS obesity database is updated as new annual data become available. (CDC Data)

Readers should always check the publication date and data year when using obesity statistics.

Data Download and Citation Guide

Researchers, journalists, bloggers, healthcare organizations, and students may want to use the statistics presented in this article as a starting point for further research.

When citing U.S. obesity statistics, readers should identify:

  • The original data source
  • The year of the data
  • The population being studied
  • The definition of obesity
  • Whether height and weight were measured or self-reported
  • Any confidence intervals or statistical limitations

The CDC’s data resources allow users to explore obesity statistics by location and demographic characteristics. (DNPAO)

Suggested citation

MedixShops — U.S. Obesity Statistics 2026: Rates by State, Age, and Demographics.

Readers should also cite the original CDC or NCHS dataset when using individual statistics in academic, medical, or journalistic work.

Methodology

This article uses publicly available information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

The primary data sources include:

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

BRFSS is a state-based surveillance system that collects information through surveys.

For obesity surveillance, height and weight are generally self-reported.

BRFSS is particularly useful for comparing obesity prevalence between states and territories.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

NHANES combines interviews with physical examinations.

Height and weight are measured by trained personnel.

NHANES provides nationally representative estimates of obesity and severe obesity among U.S. adults.

Important Data Limitation

BRFSS and NHANES use different methods.

Therefore, a state-level BRFSS estimate should not be directly compared with a national NHANES estimate as though both figures were produced using the same methodology.

Some CDC estimates may also have statistical limitations or insufficient sample sizes.

Readers should consult the original CDC source before using a statistic for research, publication, or policy decisions.

Primary Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps and state-level obesity surveillance data.

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Health E-Stat 111: Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Severe Obesity Among Adults Age 20 and Older: United States, 1960–1962 Through August 2021–August 2023. (CDC)

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
State-level obesity surveillance data and methodology. (CDC Data)

CDC Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Data, Trends, and Maps
National and state-level obesity indicators and trends. (DNPAO)

Medical Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only.

It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Obesity is a complex health condition, and individual health risks vary.

Do not use the information in this article to diagnose yourself or another person or to start, stop, or change a medication or treatment plan.

If you have concerns about your weight, health, medications, or treatment options, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Article Information

Title: U.S. Obesity Statistics 2026: Rates by State, Age, and Demographics

Publisher: MedixShops

Last updated: August 2026

Primary data sources: CDC and NCHS

Data years: Primarily 2024 BRFSS and August 2021–August 2023 NHANES

Topic: Obesity statistics in the United States