Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps
Media Statement | What Can Be Done | Update May 2022: Key on all maps and slides
The CDC 2020 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps for 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 2 US territories show self-reported adult obesity prevalence by race, ethnicity, and location. The data comes from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an on-going state-based, telephone interview survey conducted by CDC and state health departments.
The 2020 maps show that obesity impacts some groups more than others. There are notable differences by race and ethnicity, as shown by combined data from 2018-2020:
- 0 states among 35 states and territories with sufficient data had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among non-Hispanic Asian adults.
- 7 states among 49 states and territories with sufficient data had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among non-Hispanic White adults.
- 22 states among 49 states and territories with sufficient data had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among Hispanic adults.
- 35 states and the District of Columbia among 48 states and territories with sufficient data had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among non-Hispanic Black adults.
Adults with obesity are at increased risk for many other serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and poorer mental health. Some studies have indicated that the health risks associated with obesity may occur at a lower body mass index (BMI) for some people of Asian descent. Individuals should talk regularly with their healthcare provider about their body mass index, family history of chronic disease, current lifestyle, and health risks.
By Education and Age
- Obesity prevalence decreased by level of education. Adults without a high school degree or equivalent had the highest self-reported obesity (38.8%), followed by adults with some college (34.1%) or high school graduates (34.0%), and then by college graduates (25.0%).
- Young adults were half as likely to have obesity as middle-aged adults. Adults aged 18-24 years had the lowest self-reported obesity (19.5%) compared to adults aged 45-54 years who had the highest prevalence (38.1%).
Across States and Territories
See CDC PLACESexternal icon for community-level data.
- All states and territories had more than 20% of adults with obesity.
- 20% to less than 25% of adults had obesity in 3 states (Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts) and the District of Columbia.
- 25% to less than 30% of adults had obesity in 11 states.
- 30% to less than 35% of adults had obesity in 20 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
- 35% or more adults had obesity in 16 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia).
- The Midwest (34.1%) and South (34.1%) had the highest prevalence of obesity, followed by the West (29.3%), and the Northeast (28.0%).
We encourage the use of person-first language (e.g., “adults with obesity” or “20% of children ages 12-19 have obesity” and not “obese adults” nor “20% of children are obese”) when discussing topics like obesity and other chronic diseases, as well as respectful images.
The Obesity Action Coalition has more information – please see the Guidelines for Media Portrayals of Individuals Affected by Obesity pdf icon[PDF-1.68MB]external icon.
Map: Overall Obesity
Prevalence† of Self-Reported Obesity Among U.S. Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020
†Prevalence estimates reflect BRFSS methodological changes started in 2011. These estimates should not be compared to prevalence estimates before 2011.
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
TABLE: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020
Download CSV file excel icon[CSV-1.6KB]
Maps: Obesity by Race/Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic Asian Adults
Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Asian Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
TABLE: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Asian Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
Download CSV file excel icon[CSV-1.85KB]
Non-Hispanic White Adults
Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic White Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
TABLE: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic White Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥ 30%, or no data in a specific year.
Download CSV file excel icon[CSV-1.62KB]
Hispanic Adults
Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Hispanic Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
*Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
TABLE: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Hispanic Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
Download CSV File excel icon[CSV-1.62KB]
Non-Hispanic Black Adults
Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
*Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
TABLE: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adults
Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adult by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018-2020
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
*Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
TABLE: Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adults, by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2018–2020
*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.
Related Information
Media Statement: Number of States with High Obesity Prevalence Rises to Sixteen
Read the 2021 Media Statement about the Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps.
PLACES: Local Data for Better Healthexternal icon
Model-based population-level analysis and community estimates on obesity and other chronic disease factors for counties, census tracts, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) across the United States.
Data, Trends, and Maps
This interactive database provides national and state-level data about the health status and behaviors of Americans as well as environmental or policy supports. Categories include breastfeeding, fruits and vegetables, physical activity, sugary drinks, television watching, and obesity/weight.
Download Maps in Slide Format
UpdatedDownload the Adult Obesity Maps by State and Territory
CDC’s Data, Trends, and Maps Interactive Tool provides additional state and territory adult obesity prevalence estimates.
UpdatedDownload the Adult Race/Ethnicity Obesity Maps by State and Territory
The state and territory adult obesity prevalence by Race/Ethnicity in 2018-2020 are depicted in a Powerpoint slide presentation format ppt icon[PPTX-1.09MB]. This is also available as an Acrobat file pdf icon[PDF-844KB]
UpdatedThe state and territory adult obesity prevalence by Race/Ethnicity in 2011-2019 are depicted in a Powerpoint slide presentation format ppt icon[PPTX-9.79MB]. This is also available as an Acrobat file pdf icon[PDF-7.69MB].
Changed System, New Baseline
Like all public health surveillance systems, BRFSS must occasionally change its methods to adapt to the changing world and to maintain validity. The improvement changes to the BRFSS affect obesity prevalence estimates, and mean that estimates from data collected in 2010 and before cannot be compared estimates from data collected in 2011 and forward. Learn more about the changes to the BRFSS.
Download the Historical Maps
The history of the increase in state obesity prevalence is depicted in a PowerPoint slide presentation format ppt icon[PPT-3.01MB]. Estimates of obesity prevalence from 2011 forward cannot be compared to estimates from previous years. This is also available as an Acrobat file pdf icon[PDF-98KB].
