Obesity has surged to epidemic levels across the United States, posing a significant public health challenge. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the median prevalence of obesity among American adults reached nearly 34% in 2022, up from about 28% a decade earlier. This means more than one in five adults in every state is now classified as obese.
The consequences of obesity are profound, contributing to serious health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Furthermore, it drives up healthcare costs significantly, with obese adults facing nearly $2,000 more in annual medical expenses per person compared to those at a healthy weight, as of 2019.
In an effort to gauge community health nationwide, U.S. News analyzed nearly 3,000 counties and county equivalents for their 2024 Healthiest Communities rankings. Obesity rates, reflecting the percentage of adults reporting obesity based on their height and weight, were a crucial metric. Many of the counties with the highest obesity rates are concentrated in the South, with Mississippi leading the count with 10 counties on the list, followed by seven from Alabama.
