Library

| Daily Briefing

America's obesity crisis, mapped


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.

Report details

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).

Join our popular webconference series: Population Health 101

Back by popular demand: This webconference series includes four online sessions which will cover the fundamental aspects of population health, updated to review the latest trends in the industry.

Register for the Series

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

SPONSORED BY

INTENDED AUDIENCE

AFTER YOU READ THIS

AUTHORS

TOPICS

MORE FROM TODAY'S DAILY BRIEFING

Don't miss out on the latest Advisory Board insights

Create your free account to access 2 resources each month, including the latest research and webinars.

Want access without creating an account?

   

You have 2 free members-only resources remaining this month remaining this month.

1 free members-only resources remaining this month

1 free members-only resources remaining this month

You've reached your limit of free monthly insights

Become a member to access all of Advisory Board's resources, events, and experts

Never miss out on the latest innovative health care content tailored to you.

Benefits include:

Unlimited access to research and resources
Member-only access to events and trainings
Expert-led consultation and facilitation
The latest content delivered to your inbox

You've reached your limit of free monthly insights

Become a member to access all of Advisory Board's resources, events, and experts

Never miss out on the latest innovative health care content tailored to you.

Benefits include:

Unlimited access to research and resources
Member-only access to events and trainings
Expert-led consultation and facilitation
The latest content delivered to your inbox
AB
Thanks you! Your updates are made successfully.
Oh no! There was a problem with your request.
Error in form submission. Please try again.