CDC Data Shows That One in Three Adults Has Obesity in 23 States

New CDC data from 2023 shows that, in 23 states, “more than one in three adults (35%) has obesity. Before 2013, no state had an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%. Currently, at least one in five adults (20%) in each U.S. state is living with obesity.”

There are notable differences in how obesity impacts people of different races and ethnicities. For instance, white adults have an obesity prevalence at or above 35% in 16 states; Hispanic adults have the same obesity prevalence in 34 states; and Black adults have the same obesity prevalence in 38 states.

Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, says that “many factors contribute to obesity like genes, certain medications, poor sleep, gut microbiome, stress, access to affordable food, safe places to be active, and access to health care.”

CDC partners with communities and invests in programs like SPAN, HOP, and REACH “to help increase access to healthy food options, establish safe and accessible places for physical activity, and promote stigma-free obesity prevention and treatment programs.”

Obesity “is a disease that can cause many health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses. In addition, the stigma and bias about a person's weight can cause social and mental health consequences, such as anxiety and poor body image.”