Medicare Agent News: New Maps Show 19 States, 2 Territories With Adult Obesity Prevalence of 35% or More

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

New Maps Show 19 States, 2 Territories With Adult Obesity Prevalence of 35% or More

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New Maps Show 19 States, 2 Territories With Adult Obesity Prevalence of 35% or More

At least 35% of adults in 19 states and 2 territories have obesity, according to 2021 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps released by CDC on Sept. 27, 2022. This is up from 16 states in 2020.

The maps show self-reported adult obesity prevalence by race, ethnicity, and location using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The 2021 data are from 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The jurisdictions with adult obesity prevalence at or above 35% are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Combined data from 2019-2021 show notable racial and ethnic disparities. Among states and territories with sufficient data:

Non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest prevalence of self-reported obesity (41.7%), followed by non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults (38.4%), Hispanic adults (36.1%), non-Hispanic White adults (31.0%), and non-Hispanic Asian adults (11.7%).
0 states had an obesity prevalence at or above 35% for non-Hispanic Asian adults.
10 states had an obesity prevalence at or above 35% for non-Hispanic White adults.
27 states and Guam had an obesity prevalence at or above 35% for Hispanic adults.
31 states had an obesity prevalence at or above 35% for non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults.
36 states and the District of Columbia had an obesity prevalence at or above 35% among non-Hispanic Black adults.

Overall Map and Data

Maps by Race/Ethnicity

Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease. Adults with obesity are at an increased risk for many other serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, poorer mental health, severity of COVID-19 illness, and more.

Addressing the problem of obesity will take a comprehensive effort by all parts of society. These maps help by showing where the burden of obesity is greatest. Policy makers and community leaders can work to ensure that obesity prevention starts early, and that everyone has equitable access to nutritious and affordable food, and safe and convenient places to be physically active. Because obesity is a disease, this also includes equitable access to healthcare and effective treatment.

These data were included in the new National Strategy on Nutrition, Hunger, and Health and also will be highlighted during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on Wednesday, September 28. Obesity prevention is a cornerstone of the White House Conference. The pillars of the conference are:

Improve food access and affordability.
Integrate nutrition and health.
Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices.
Support physical activity for all.
Enhance nutrition and food security research.

For more information on CDC’s work to prevent obesity, please visit:

Notes on Language and Images:

We encourage respectful images and the use of person-first language, such as adults with obesity, when discussing obesity and other chronic diseases. Please see the Guidelines for Media Portrayals of Individuals Affected by Obesity from Obesity Action Coalition.