48 States Have Adult Obesity Rates Of At Least 25%

In 48 states, more than 25% of the adult population was obese as of 2017. The adult obesity rate was highest in West Virginia, at 38.1%, and lowest in the District of Columbia (23.8%) and Hawaii (23%). Adult obesity rates exceeded 30% in 29 states and met or exceeded 35% in seven states. Since 1988, adult obesity rose from an age-adjusted national average of 22.9% to the 2015-2016 national average of 39.6%. Obesity is defined in adults as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher; among youth, the definition is statistical and . . .