Obesity rates: US states with the highest body mass index according to the CDC

Certain regions, races, and education levels had a higher prevalence of obesity: ‘Urgent priority’

E. Coli

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published its 2022 adult obesity prevalence maps, covering all of the U.S. States that have obesity rates above 20% of their residents, meaning at least one in five adults in each state is affected. through obesity. In many states, obesity rates exceed this limit.

The three states with the highest obesity rates among residents in 2022 are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Each of these states has an obesity rate of 40% or higher, indicating that a significant portion of their adult population struggles with obesity. This highlights the ongoing challenge of obesity as a public health problem in the United States.

According to the report, in 2022:

  • Nineteen states have obesity rates between 35% and 40%.
  • Twenty-two states had obesity rates between 30% and 35%, an increase from 19 states in this range in 2021.

These states with obesity in the 30-35% range: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Regionally, the Midwest had the highest rate of obesity at 35.8%, followed by states in the South at 35.6%, the Northeast at 30.5% and the West at 29.5%. These data are derived from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a U.S. telephone interview survey conducted by the CDC in collaboration with state health departments to monitor health-related behaviors and conditions, including obesity, in adults.

CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Director Dr. Karen Hacker emphasized the need to provide additional support for obesity prevention and treatment in response to updated obesity prevalence maps. In a statement from the CDC, Dr. Hacker emphasized the importance of recognizing obesity as a complex disease, including dietary patterns, physical activity levels, sleep habits, genetics, and some medications.

Effective strategies to combat obesity include addressing the social determinants of health, such as ensuring access to health care, promoting the availability of healthy and affordable food options, and creating safe environments for physical activity, she said.

Obesity rates presented in the report were calculated based on the proportion of adults who reported a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30, using self-reported weight and height as the primary data source. These maps serve as an important tool for understanding the prevalence of obesity across the United States and for informing public health efforts to combat this widespread health concern.

Obesity rates by race and ethnicity

The data from the report also revealed significant variations in obesity rates among different ethnic groups:

  • Among non-Hispanic Black adults, 38 states had obesity rates of 35% or higher.
  • For non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults, 33 states or territories had obesity rates of 35% or higher.
  • Hispanic adults had obesity rates of at least 35% in 32 different states.
  • Non-Hispanic White adults had 35% or higher obesity rates in 14 states.
  • Non-Hispanic Asian adults did not have obesity rates of that magnitude in any state or territory.

These disparities in obesity rates among various ethnic groups underscore the importance of addressing health inequalities and implementing targeted strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce obesity within these communities. Public health efforts need to consider these variations and tailor interventions accordingly to ensure equitable health outcomes.

Obesity rates in US states in 2022

Variances by education and age

The CDC’s findings also revealed a strong correlation between education levels and obesity rates:

  • Adults without at least a high school diploma had the highest obesity rates, with 37.6% affected.
  • Individuals with some college education had obesity rates of 35.9%.
  • High school graduates had obesity rates of 35.7%.
  • College graduates had the lowest obesity rates among these groups, with 27.2% affected.

Additionally, age played a significant role in obesity rates:

  • Young adults aged 18 to 24 years had the lowest obesity rate at 20.5%.
  • In contrast, adults aged 45 to 54 years had the highest obesity rates, with 39.9% affected.

These findings underscore the importance of education and age as factors influencing obesity prevalence. Higher educational attainment appears to be associated with lower obesity rates, while age also plays a role, with younger adults generally having lower obesity rates than older age groups. Public health interventions should consider these demographic factors when developing strategies to address and prevent obesity.

“Obesity is a primer for age-related disease and early death. Being categorically obese is associated with a two- to 10-year reduction in life expectancy.”

Dr. Brett Osborne, a Florida-based neurologist and longevity expert, describes obesity as a “gateway disease” that leads to many other serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Leading causes of death in the United States. Unlike the acute nature of some diseases such as COVID-19, obesity is a chronic condition that silently and insidiously contributes to health decline over time.

Dr. Osborne emphasized that obesity is a precursor to age-related diseases and premature death. People who are categorically obese experience a reduction in life expectancy of two to ten years. This translates into a significant loss of life potential years, particularly as obesity rates among Americans have been reported by the CDC.

The economic burden of obesity is also significant, with obesity-related medical costs estimated at nearly $173 billion in 2019, according to the CDC.

Dr. Osborne concluded by emphasizing the critical need to address obesity holistically. Failure to do so risks increasing populations to a shorter, less healthy lifespan and a range of chronic diseases.

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