West Virginia Tops Charts With 41% Obesity Rate, Study Highlights

DEBARYLIFE – States in America were ranked according to their prevalence of obesity in a recent survey conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and state health agencies as part of the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Having a body mass index of 30 or higher is considered obese.

West Virginia had the highest obesity rate (41.3%), per the research. At 40.3%, Oklahoma has the second-highest rate. Third-highest rate is 40.0% in Louisiana, and 39.7% in Mississippi.

Following them at 39.1% was Tennessee, followed by Ohio at 38%, Alabama, Indiana, and Delaware at 37.9%, Delaware at 37.8%, and Kentucky at 37.8%.

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Each year, the disease costs taxpayers $173 billion and raises the risk of serious illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Two out of every three Americans, according to the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, are overweight or obese. Compared to white Americans, rates are greater among Mexican, Black, and Hispanic Americans. By 2030, half of all Americans will be obese if current trends continue.