A report from the nonprofit organization Trust for America”s Health indicates that the United States has made slight progress in combating obesity, marking the first decrease in the number of states with obesity rates at or above 35% since 2011. According to the report, in 2024, 19 states reported adult obesity rates at 35% or higher, a reduction from 23 states in 2023.
This change represents the first decline in obesity rates after eleven consecutive years of increases, as noted by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the report emphasizes that obesity remains a widespread public health concern, with 22 states reporting rates between 30% and 35%, and only 9 states with rates below 30%. Additionally, no state recorded an obesity rate below 25% for the second consecutive year.
On the extreme ends of the spectrum, Colorado has the lowest percentage of adults classified as obese, while West Virginia tops the list with a concerning 41.4% of its adult population affected. Although there were no statistically significant changes between 2023 and 2024, experts view this stabilization as a potential inflection point. Nonetheless, they caution that the long-term trend remains alarming, with obesity rates rising by 32% across the country from 1999 to 2023, and an even steeper increase of 52% among young people.
Currently, more than 40% of American adults are affected by obesity, a condition linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. The report also highlights structural causes behind the obesity epidemic, including poor diet quality characterized by inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and high consumption of ultraprocessed and sugary foods.
The authors of the study urge authorities to strengthen prevention policies, promote healthy eating habits, and ensure access to fresh and affordable food, particularly in low-income communities where obesity is notably concentrated.
