Obesity statistics at a glance
Obesity in this dataset shows a wide spread across U.S. states and territories, with a low of 25.0% in Colorado and a high of 41.4% in West Virginia (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
That gap matters because it shows obesity is not a single national number in practice. It is a state-by-state pattern with clear clusters, regional differences, and a long tail of places above 35%.
Quick takeaways
- West Virginia: 41.4% is the highest value in the dataset (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- Mississippi: 40.4% and Guam: 40.2% are the only other entries above 40% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- Colorado: 25.0% is the lowest value, followed by the District of Columbia: 25.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- Most places in the dataset fall in the low-to-mid 30% range, which makes that band the practical center of gravity (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- The full spread from lowest to highest is 16.4 percentage points based on the supplied figures (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
Table of contents
- At a glance
- Highest and lowest obesity rates
- State-by-state comparison
- Regional patterns in the dataset
- What the middle of the distribution looks like
- How to read these obesity statistics
- Detailed state and territory figures
Highest and lowest obesity rates
The first thing to notice in the obesity statistics is the difference between the extremes. West Virginia at 41.4% sits well above the rest of the dataset, while Colorado at 25.0% is the lowest entry (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
Highest values
- West Virginia: 41.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Mississippi: 40.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Guam: 40.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Louisiana: 39.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Alabama: 38.9% and Arkansas: 38.9% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
Lowest values
- Colorado: 25.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- District of Columbia: 25.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Hawaii: 27.0% and Massachusetts: 27.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- New Jersey: 27.7% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Vermont: 29.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
Why the spread matters
A difference of 16.4 percentage points between the lowest and highest entries is large enough to shape how the topic is discussed, tracked, and compared across places (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
In practical terms, it means two states can both be described as having elevated obesity prevalence while still being separated by a meaningful margin. The dataset makes that visible: even values around the high 20s and low 30s are materially different from the upper 30s and low 40s.
State-by-state comparison
The dataset includes states plus several territories and the District of Columbia. A compact comparison makes the structure easier to see than a simple list.
| Place | Adult obesity prevalence |
|---|---|
| Colorado | 25.0% |
| District of Columbia | 25.5% |
| Hawaii | 27.0% |
| Massachusetts | 27.0% |
| New Jersey | 27.7% |
| Vermont | 29.0% |
| California | 29.1% |
| New York | 29.5% |
| Florida | 29.6% |
| Montana | 31.0% |
| Utah | 31.0% |
| New Hampshire | 31.1% |
| Rhode Island | 31.1% |
| Washington | 31.5% |
| Connecticut | 32.0% |
| Minnesota | 32.3% |
| Virginia | 32.3% |
| Wyoming | 32.5% |
| Idaho | 32.7% |
| Maryland | 32.7% |
| Maine | 33.2% |
| Arizona | 33.3% |
| Oregon | 33.5% |
| Alaska | 34.0% |
| Illinois | 34.2% |
| Nevada | 34.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 34.2% |
| New Mexico | 34.5% |
| North Carolina | 34.5% |
| Missouri | 34.6% |
| South Carolina | 34.6% |
| Georgia | 35.4% |
| Texas | 35.6% |
| Michigan | 36.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 36.2% |
| Delaware | 36.6% |
| Iowa | 36.6% |
| North Dakota | 36.8% |
| Oklahoma | 36.8% |
| Ohio | 36.9% |
| South Dakota | 37.0% |
| Kentucky | 37.2% |
| Wisconsin | 37.4% |
| Kansas | 37.6% |
| Nebraska | 37.6% |
| Virgin Islands | 37.7% |
| Indiana | 38.4% |
| Alabama | 38.9% |
| Arkansas | 38.9% |
| Louisiana | 39.2% |
| Guam | 40.2% |
| Mississippi | 40.4% |
| West Virginia | 41.4% |
The table shows that the dataset is not evenly distributed across the range. Instead, it stacks up in tiers:
- low-to-mid 20s for the smallest values
- high 20s through low 30s for a broad middle band
- mid-to-high 30s for many states and territories
- 40% and above for the highest concentration of obesity prevalence values (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
Regional patterns in the dataset
This obesity dataset is especially useful because it suggests regional clustering without requiring any extra assumptions. The supplied figures are enough to see that the low end and high end are geographically distinct in broad strokes.
Lower-prevalence cluster
The lowest group includes Colorado at 25.0%, District of Columbia at 25.5%, Hawaii and Massachusetts at 27.0%, and New Jersey at 27.7% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
That cluster shows a tight range under 30%. It is important because it establishes a practical lower band for the dataset, not just a single outlier.
Mid-range cluster
A large share of the dataset sits from roughly 31% to 35%. Examples include Montana and Utah at 31.0%, New Hampshire and Rhode Island at 31.1%, Connecticut at 32.0%, Minnesota and Virginia at 32.3%, Idaho and Maryland at 32.7%, Maine at 33.2%, Arizona at 33.3%, Oregon at 33.5%, and Alaska at 34.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
That band matters because it is where many places in the dataset live. When readers ask what obesity statistics look like beyond the extremes, this is the most representative segment.
Higher-prevalence cluster
The upper group starts at Georgia at 35.4% and continues through Texas at 35.6%, Michigan at 36.1%, Delaware and Iowa at 36.6%, North Dakota and Oklahoma at 36.8%, Ohio at 36.9%, South Dakota at 37.0%, Kentucky at 37.2%, Wisconsin at 37.4%, Kansas and Nebraska at 37.6%, Virgin Islands at 37.7%, Indiana at 38.4%, Alabama and Arkansas at 38.9%, and Louisiana at 39.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
That’s a long stretch above the mid-30s, which is why the upper tail feels dense rather than isolated.
What the middle of the distribution looks like
A useful way to read these obesity statistics is to focus on the median-like space in the dataset instead of only the largest or smallest figures.
There are several values that sit close to one another:
- Alaska: 34.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Illinois, Nevada, and Pennsylvania: 34.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- New Mexico and North Carolina: 34.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Missouri and South Carolina: 34.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Georgia: 35.4% and Texas: 35.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
This is a strong sign that the dataset has a thick center. In other words, many places are not far apart from one another, even though the headline numbers at the top and bottom get the most attention.
Fast facts from the middle band
- 34% to 35% contains several entries, which makes it one of the densest parts of the data (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- 36% to 37% is also heavily populated, with Delaware, Iowa, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Nebraska all in that vicinity (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- 37% to 39% includes a second cluster that keeps the upper tail broad rather than narrow (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
A simple interpretation
If a reader only remembers one thing, it should be this: the obesity statistics in this dataset are not dominated by a few outliers. They are dominated by a broad band of places in the low-to-high 30% range, with a handful of lower values and a smaller set of extreme highs.
How to read these obesity statistics
These figures are most useful when you treat them as a comparison set rather than a ranking with a single winner and loser.
Useful reading habits
- Compare each place to the lowest and highest values, not just to the national conversation.
- Watch the 30% to 35% band, because many entries sit there and it provides the best quick benchmark.
- Look for neighboring values when assessing similarity, such as Illinois, Nevada, and Pennsylvania at 34.2% or Kansas and Nebraska at 37.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- Keep the territories in view, because Guam at 40.2% and Virgin Islands at 37.7% extend the top end of the dataset (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
Why source labels matter here
Each figure is tied to the same source label, CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV, which makes the dataset easy to audit and compare inside the article itself.
That source label is especially useful when the numbers are close together. For example, Connecticut at 32.0% and Minnesota and Virginia at 32.3% are not dramatic differences, but the source tag confirms they come from the same dataset and should be read on the same footing (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
Detailed state and territory figures
States and jurisdictions under 30%
- Colorado: 25.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- District of Columbia: 25.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Hawaii: 27.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Massachusetts: 27.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- New Jersey: 27.7% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Vermont: 29.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- California: 29.1% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- New York: 29.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Florida: 29.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
States and jurisdictions from 30% to 34%
- Montana and Utah: 31.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- New Hampshire and Rhode Island: 31.1% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Washington: 31.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Connecticut: 32.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Minnesota and Virginia: 32.3% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Wyoming: 32.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Idaho and Maryland: 32.7% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Maine: 33.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Arizona: 33.3% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Oregon: 33.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Alaska: 34.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Illinois, Nevada, and Pennsylvania: 34.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- New Mexico and North Carolina: 34.5% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Missouri and South Carolina: 34.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
States and jurisdictions at 35% and above
- Georgia: 35.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Texas: 35.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Michigan: 36.1% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Puerto Rico: 36.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Delaware and Iowa: 36.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- North Dakota and Oklahoma: 36.8% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Ohio: 36.9% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- South Dakota: 37.0% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Kentucky: 37.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Wisconsin: 37.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Kansas and Nebraska: 37.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Virgin Islands: 37.7% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Indiana: 38.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Alabama and Arkansas: 38.9% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Louisiana: 39.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Guam: 40.2% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- Mississippi: 40.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
- West Virginia: 41.4% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV)
Fast reference patterns
- The lowest values are all below 30% except the broad middle, which begins immediately after Florida at 29.6% (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- The 31% to 34% corridor includes a large share of states, making it the most crowded band in the dataset (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- The upper 30s are common enough to form their own group, not just a few isolated outliers (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).
- Only West Virginia, Mississippi, and Guam are above 40% in the supplied data (CDC 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps CSV).