Editor's note: This popular story from the Daily Briefing's archives was republished on May 14, 2019.
More states reported adult obesity rates of 35% and higher in 2017 than in 2016—and the highest prevalence of obesity was among adults ages 45-54, according to CDC data.
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The CDC's Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps show the percentage of obese adults in all 50 states. The reported showed at least 35% of adults in seven states were obese in 2017, up from five in 2016. Those seven states were:
- Alabama;
- Arkansas;
- Iowa;
- Louisiana;
- Oklahoma;
- Mississippi; and
- West Virginia.
In addition, 22 states plus Guam and Puerto Rico had adult obesity rates between 30% and 35% in 2017 in 22 states.
Only two states—Colorado and Hawaii—reported adult obesity rates between 20% and 25%.
The CDC report stated that race played a significant role in obesity rates, with obesity rates at:
- 38.4% for non-Hispanic blacks;
- 32.6% for Hispanics; and
- 28.6% for non-Hispanic whites.
The risk of obesity was most pronounced among non-Hispanic blacks: In 31 states, at least 35% of the non-Hispanic black population identified as obese.
There was also a noticeable difference among adults with varying education levels, with obesity rates at:
- 35.6% for adults without a high school degree or equivalent;
- 32.9% for high school graduates;
- 31.9% for adults with some college; and
- 22.7% for college graduates (Walker, MedPage Today, 9/12; CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps).
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