Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Invigor Medical.
Obesity remains a major public health challenge in the United States, affecting more than one-third of adults and contributing to a wide range of chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
It is strongly associated with physical inactivity, poor diet, genetics, and socioeconomic factors, and its prevalence continues to grow. Over the past decade, obesity rates have increased across every adult age group, rising by approximately five percentage points nationally.
Fortunately, in recent years, new GLP-1 weight-loss medications have shown strong results in helping individuals lose weight and manage obesity-related conditions.
However, these treatments have yet to make a sizable impact at the national level, as only a relatively small share of adults with obesity are currently using them. Still, their arrival marks a promising development in the broader fight against obesity.
In light of these developments, Invigor Medical, a telehealth company focused on the wellness space, analyzed the most recent CDC data to track how obesity rates have shifted by age group over the past 10 years.
The analysis identifies the states that have experienced the sharpest rise in obesity since 2013.
10. South Dakota
- Change in overall rate: +6.8 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 36.2%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 29.4%
- Fastest-growing age group: 25-34
- Change in that group’s rate: +8.2 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 35.9%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 27.7%
9. Alaska
- Change in overall rate: +6.9 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 35.1%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 28.2%
- Fastest-growing age group: 45-54
- Change in that group’s rate: +14.1 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 43.9%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 29.8%
8. Iowa
- Change in overall rate: +7.1 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 37.9%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 30.8%
- Fastest-growing age group: 18-24
- Change in that group’s rate: +8.3 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 26.4%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 18.1%
7. Louisiana
- Change in overall rate: +7.3 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 39.9%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 32.6%
- Fastest-growing age group: 25-34
- Change in that group’s rate: +13.2 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 40.7%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 27.5%
6. Virginia
- Change in overall rate: +7.3 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 34.0%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 26.7%
- Fastest-growing age group: 25-34
- Change in that group’s rate: +12.4 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 35.1%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 22.7%
5. Oregon
- Change in overall rate: +7.4 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 33.4%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 26.0%
- Fastest-growing age group: 18-24
- Change in that group’s rate: +11.3 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 21.3%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 10.0%
4. Nebraska
- Change in overall rate: +7.4 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 36.5%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 29.1%
- Fastest-growing age group: 25-34
- Change in that group’s rate: +9.4 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 35.8%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 26.4%
3. Alabama
- Change in overall rate: +7.4 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 39.4%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 32.0%
- Fastest-growing age group: 55-64
- Change in that group’s rate: +9.7 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 46.8%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 37.1%
2. Minnesota
- Change in overall rate: +8.1 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 33.0%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 24.9%
- Fastest-growing age group: 35-44
- Change in that group’s rate: +8.9 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 36.8%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 27.9%
1. New Mexico
- Change in overall rate: +10.0 pp
- Overall obesity rate (2023): 36.3%
- Overall obesity rate (2013): 26.3%
- Fastest-growing age group: 25-34
- Change in that group’s rate: +13.6 pp
- Obesity rate in that group (2023): 42.9%
- Obesity rate in that group (2013): 29.3%
Methodology
This analysis uses data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine changes in adult obesity rates across U.S. states from 2013 to 2023.
Only states with complete data for both years were included. Washington, D.C., U.S. territories, and states with missing data were excluded.
For each state, Invigor Medical calculated the age-adjusted obesity rate in 2013 and 2023, as well as the percentage point change over that period.
The team also examined crude obesity rates by age group to identify which group in each state saw the largest increase in obesity prevalence over the decade.
The CDC defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, based on self-reported height and weight.
Because BRFSS does not provide nationally weighted estimates by age, the median of state-level values was used to report national-level figures.
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