Obesity in America: State-by-State Rankings

ATLANTA, GA — States among the most obese in the country appear to be putting on more weight, according to the latest annual review of state obesity rates by the Centers for Disease Control.

Three states dropped out of the top 10 most obese in the country: North Dakota, Indiana and South Carolina. But that progress was due, in large part, to significant increases in obesity in other states instead of weight loss. The CDC releases annual obesity rates each September based on larger, self-reported studies on behavioral risk factors.

Again, in every state, at least one in five adults is obese. Colorado has the lowest percentage at 20.2 percent. Ranked No. 4 last year, Louisiana has moved to the top of the list with 36.2 percent. Other states with notable increases included Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon and Maine.

There are some signs of improvement. Ranked eighth in obesity in 2015, Ohio fell to No. 28 in the latest ranking and dropped nearly 3 percent in the obesity rate to 29.8 percent. Montana, Utah, New York and Minnesota also saw notable improvements in the year-over-year obesity rates.

The report also looks at obesity rates by race, finding 38 percent of blacks reported being obese, compared to 31.9 percent of Hispanics and 27.6 percent among whites.

People who are obese are at a higher risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea and some forms of cancer, as well as other health issues. Medical care costs related to obesity have reached more than $190 billion a year, according to a 2012 study in the Journal of Health Economics.

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The CDC provides additional funding to 32 states to improve access to healthy foods and increase outreach on the importance of physical activity.

For example, in Tennessee, where the obesity rate is at 33.8 percent, the CDC spent more than $275,000 in the last fiscal year to address obesity in the state. Tennessee has launched education campaigns like "Healthy Park, Healthy Person" to connect residents with close-to-home recreation opportunities, as well as other education programs.

The CDC also provides $1.7 million annually for college and university programs that reduce obesity and boost prevention in communities with the highest obesity rates.

"Efforts are needed to combat the prevalence of obesity in areas where the problem is the worst, particularly rural areas," the CDC noted in the latest call for grant funding applications in August. "There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach that works for rural communities in regards to health initiatives."

Rankings of self-reported obesity prevalence, according to the CDC survey:

1. Louisiana, 36.2
2. Alabama, 35.6
3. Mississippi, 35.6
4. West Virginia, 35.6
5. Kentucky, 34.6
6. Arkansas, 34.5
7. Kansas, 34.2
8. Oklahoma, 33.9
9. Tennessee, 33.8
10. Missouri, 32.4
11. Texas, 32.4
12. Iowa, 32.1
13. South Carolina, 31.7
14. Guam, 31.6
15. Nebraska, 31.4
16. Indiana, 31.3
17. Michigan, 31.2
18. North Dakota, 31
19. Illinois, 30.8
20. Georgia, 30.7
21. Wisconsin, 30.7
22. South Dakota, 30.4
23. North Carolina, 30.1
24. Oregon, 30.1
25. Maine, 30
26. Pennsylvania, 30
27. Alaska, 29.8
28. Ohio, 29.8
29. Delaware, 29.7
30. Puerto Rico, 29.5
31. Virginia, 29.2
32. Wyoming, 29
33. Maryland, 28.9
34. New Mexico, 28.8
35. Idaho, 28.6
36. Arizona, 28.4
37. Florida, 26.8
38. Nevada, 26.7
39. Washington, 26.4
40. New Hampshire, 26.3
41. Minnesota, 26.1
42. Rhode Island, 26
43. New Jersey, 25.6
44. Connecticut, 25.3
45. Vermont, 25.1
46. New York, 25
47. Utah, 24.5
48. Massachusetts, 24.3
49. California, 24.2
50. Montana, 23.6
51. Hawaii, 22.7
52. District of Columbia, 22.1
53. Colorado, 20.2

Photo provided by CDC/ Debora Cartagena