Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps

Media Statement |   What Can Be Done | Updated Sept 21, 2023

The CDC 2022 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps for 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 US territories show the proportion of adults with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 ( ≥30 kg/m2) based on self-reported weight and height. Data are presented by race, ethnicity, and location. The data come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing state-based, telephone interview survey conducted by CDC and state health departments.

Tools to help achieve health equity

The 2022 maps show that obesity impacts some groups more than others. There are notable differences by race and ethnicity, as shown by combined data from 2020–2022.

Among geographic groups (states, territories, or DC) with enough data, the number with an adult obesity prevalence of 35% or higher, by race/ethnicity, is:

  • Non-Hispanic Asian adults: 0 (among 37 states, 1 territory, and DC)
  • Non-Hispanic White adults: 14 (among 49 states, 1 territory, and DC)
  • Hispanic adults: 32 (among 49 states, 2 territories, and DC)

    See CDC PLACES for community-level data.

  • Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 33 (among 47 states)
  • Non-Hispanic Blacks: 38 (among 48 states and DC)

By Education and Age

  • Obesity prevalence decreased as level of education increased. Adults without a high school diploma or equivalent had the highest prevalence of obesity (37.6%), followed by adults with some college education (35.9%) or high school graduates (35.7%), and then by college graduates (27.2%).
  • Young adults were half as likely to have obesity as middle-aged adults. Adults aged 18–24 had the lowest prevalence of obesity (20.5%) compared to adults aged 45–54, who had the highest prevalence (39.9%).

Across States and Territories

  • All states and territories had an obesity prevalence higher than 20% (more than 1 in 5 adults).
  • The District of Columbia had an obesity prevalence between 20% and less than 25%.
  • 6 states had an obesity prevalence between 25% and less than 30%.
  • 22 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands had an obesity prevalence between 30% and less than 35%.
  • 19 states had an obesity prevalence between 35% and less than 40%.
  • 3 states (Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia) had an obesity prevalence of 40% or greater.
  • The Midwest (35.8%) and South (35.6%) had the highest prevalence of obesity, followed by the Northeast (30.5%), and the West (29.5%).
How is BMI interpreted for adults?

For adults aged 20 years and older, BMI categories are defined the same regardless of sex or age.

The standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults are shown in the following table.
BMI BMI Category
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5–24.9 Healthy Weight
25.0–29.9 Overweight
30.0 and Above Obesity
Notes on Language and Images:

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-1.72MB].


Map: Overall Obesity

Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among U.S. Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2022

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among U.S. Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2022. See map details in table below.

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.

Prevalence estimates reflect BRFSS methodological changes started in 2011. These estimates should not be compared to prevalence estimates before 2011.

TABLE: Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2022

*Sample size <50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥30%, or no data in a specific year.

Maps: Obesity by Race/Ethnicity

Non-Hispanic Asian Adults

Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic Asian Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Asian Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020-2022. See map details in table below.
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 Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic Asian Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022
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.

Non-Hispanic White Adults

Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic White Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic White Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020-2022. See map details in table below.
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 Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic White Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022
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.

Hispanic Adults

Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Hispanic Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Hispanic Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020-2022. See map details in table below.

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 Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Hispanic Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

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.

Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adults

Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adult by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adults, by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022. See map details in table below.

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 Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native Adults, by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

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 Black Adults

Prevalence of Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2019-2021. See map details in table below.

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 Obesity Based on Self-Reported Weight and Height Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2020–2022

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.

Related Information

Media Statement

Read the 2023 Media Statement about the Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps.


PLACES: Local Data for Better Health

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

CDC’s Data, Trends, and Maps Interactive Tool provides additional state and territory adult obesity prevalence estimates.

Download Maps in Slide Format

UpdatedAdult Obesity Maps by State and Territory, 2011-2022


UpdatedAdult Race/Ethnicity Obesity Maps by State and Territory, 2020-2022


Historical: Maps of Adult Obesity by State and Territory, 1985–2010*


Historical: Maps of Adult Race/Ethnicity Obesity by State and Territory, 2011-2021*

*The historical maps from 1985-2010 cannot be compared to maps from 2011-2022 because data analysis methodology changed in 2011. Like all public health public health surveillance systems, BRFSS must occasionally change its methods to adapt to the changing world and to maintain validity.

Citiation: Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.  (21 September 2023).

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