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Most Obese States in the US

Most Obese States in the US

The obesity epidemic in the U.S. is a major health issue — it has been an issue for several decades and it doesn’t look like it’s on a path of getting better. Currently about a third of Americans are considered obese, a share that is projected to grow to almost half of adults by 2030, according to Harvard researchers.

While the country as a whole is facing an obesity crisis, the problem is much more pronounced in some states. To identify the most obese states, 24/7 Tempo reviewed health data from the 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program.

High obesity rates can detrimentally affect the health and life expectancy of the population.

Only one of the 15 states with the highest obesity rates has a lower share of adults reporting being in poor or fair health than the U.S. as a whole. Additionally, only five of those 15 states report a diabetes rate lower than the national rate. Obesity is a leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

Insufficient sleep — defined as sleeping less than seven hours per night on average — has been shown to be a contributing factor to obesity. Sleep deprivation messes with the two hormones that control appetite — ghrelin, which tells you you’re hungry, and leptin, which tells you you’re full.

All but two of the 15 states with the highest obesity rates have a higher share of the population reporting insufficient sleep than the country as a whole.

Obesity rates in the U.S. have risen over the last few decades — and so have the misconceptions about the condition. Here are the 16 most stubborn myths about obesity that need to go away.

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50. Colorado
> Share of adults who are obese: 23.6% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.7% — 2nd lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 6.6% — 2nd lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 30.0% — 2nd lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 13.7% — 6th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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49. Massachusetts
> Share of adults who are obese: 25.4% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.0% — 24th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 7.4% — 6th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 34.3% — 20th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 13.4% — 4th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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48. New Jersey
> Share of adults who are obese: 25.5% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.9% — 15th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.5% — 23rd highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.5% — 17th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.5% — 17th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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47. Hawaii
> Share of adults who are obese: 25.5% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.9% — 16th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.3% — 22nd lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 43.2% — the highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.3% — 16th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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46. California
> Share of adults who are obese: 26.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.3% — 10th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.4% — 24th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 34.5% — 22nd lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.8% — 21st highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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45. Florida
> Share of adults who are obese: 26.3% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 25.9% — 25th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.4% — 25th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.3% — 19th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.8% — 19th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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44. Vermont
> Share of adults who are obese: 27.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 19.3% — 5th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 7.3% — 5th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 30.1% — 4th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 12.6% — the lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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43. New York
> Share of adults who are obese: 27.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.0% — 18th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.4% — 25th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.9% — 8th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 16.4% — 23rd lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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42. Montana
> Share of adults who are obese: 28.0% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.6% — the lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 6.4% — the lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 30.9% — 5th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 14.4% — 11th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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41. Washington
> Share of adults who are obese: 28.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.9% — 4th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 8.5% — 14th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 31.8% — 7th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.7% — 18th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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40. Oregon
> Share of adults who are obese: 28.8% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.5% — 14th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 7.5% — 8th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 32.8% — 11th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.4% — 24th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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39. Connecticut
> Share of adults who are obese: 29.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.3% — 12th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 8.2% — 11th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.8% — 18th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 14.3% — 9th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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38. Idaho
> Share of adults who are obese: 29.5% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.3% — 13th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.2% — 20th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.4% — 15th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.1% — 14th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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37. Wyoming
> Share of adults who are obese: 29.6% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.0% — 17th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 6.8% — 3rd lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.8% — 17th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.7% — 20th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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36. Utah
> Share of adults who are obese: 29.9% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 18.7% — 3rd lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 8.3% — 13th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 31.2% — 6th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 14.8% — 12th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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35. Minnesota
> Share of adults who are obese: 30.0% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 19.7% — 6th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 7.8% — 9th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 29.1% — the lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 13.3% — 3rd lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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34. Rhode Island
> Share of adults who are obese: 30.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.0% — 23rd highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.1% — 18th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 36.7% — 22nd highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 16.3% — 22nd lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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33. Nevada
> Share of adults who are obese: 30.5% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 25.6% — 24th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.9% — 18th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.3% — 20th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 20.1% — 10th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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32. Alaska
> Share of adults who are obese: 30.7% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.6% — 8th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 7.1% — 4th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.3% — 14th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.7% — 19th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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31. Maine
> Share of adults who are obese: 31.4% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.5% — 9th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 8.7% — 15th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 34.5% — 23rd lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.2% — 25th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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30. Illinois
> Share of adults who are obese: 31.5% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 25.1% — 22nd lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 10.0% — 17th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.5% — 16th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.1% — 24th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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29. Virginia
> Share of adults who are obese: 31.8% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.8% — 21st lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.8% — 21st highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.6% — 11th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 16.1% — 21st lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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28. Arizona
> Share of adults who are obese: 31.9% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.6% — 15th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.8% — 20th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 34.9% — 24th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 18.3% — 15th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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27. Maryland
> Share of adults who are obese: 32.0% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.0% — 11th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.8% — 19th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.7% — 16th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 14.0% — 8th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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26. New Hampshire
> Share of adults who are obese: 32.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.1% — 7th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 8.0% — 10th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 35.3% — 25th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 14.3% — 10th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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25. New Mexico
> Share of adults who are obese: 32.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.8% — 20th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 10.9% — 14th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.1% — 12th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 20.0% — 11th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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24. Pennsylvania
> Share of adults who are obese: 33.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.6% — 18th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.2% — 21st lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.6% — 10th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.6% — 23rd highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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23. South Dakota
> Share of adults who are obese: 33.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 28.9% — 12th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.3% — 23rd lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 30.1% — 3rd lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.1% — 15th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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22. Georgia
> Share of adults who are obese: 33.4% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.4% — 17th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.1% — 11th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.3% — 12th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 19.3% — 12th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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21. North Carolina
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.0% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 25.9% — 25th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 10.5% — 15th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 36.1% — 24th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 18.5% — 14th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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20. Texas
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.9% — 19th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.8% — 6th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 34.4% — 21st lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 20.9% — 8th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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19. Delaware
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 25.3% — 23rd lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 10.9% — 13th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 36.5% — 23rd highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 18.0% — 18th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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18. Nebraska
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.3% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.6% — 21st highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.1% — 19th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 32.3% — 8th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 13.9% — 7th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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17. Wisconsin
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.3% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.3% — 9th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 7.4% — 7th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 32.7% — 9th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 15.0% — 13th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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16. Iowa
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.3% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.1% — 22nd highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.0% — 16th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 33.1% — 13th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 13.6% — 5th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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15. Missouri
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.6% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.6% — 8th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.0% — 17th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 35.2% — 25th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.6% — 22nd highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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14. Ohio
> Share of adults who are obese: 34.6% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.6% — 16th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 10.3% — 16th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 40.6% — 5th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 18.1% — 17th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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13. Indiana
> Share of adults who are obese: 35.4% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.6% — 6th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.1% — 10th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.0% — 14th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 18.9% — 13th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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12. South Carolina
> Share of adults who are obese: 35.5% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 28.5% — 13th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.5% — 8th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.8% — 9th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.8% — 20th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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11. Kansas
> Share of adults who are obese: 35.6% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.7% — 20th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.7% — 22nd highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 34.0% — 19th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 17.1% — 25th lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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10. North Dakota
> Share of adults who are obese: 35.8% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.9% — 14th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 8.2% — 12th lowest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 32.8% — 10th lowest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 13.3% — 2nd lowest (US rate: 17.1%)

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9. Michigan
> Share of adults who are obese: 35.8% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.6% — 19th lowest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 9.5% — 24th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 40.4% — 6th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 18.2% — 16th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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8. Louisiana
> Share of adults who are obese: 36.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.5% — 4th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.3% — 9th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 38.0% — 13th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 21.7% — 5th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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7. Alabama
> Share of adults who are obese: 36.3% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.8% — 5th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 12.2% — 3rd highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 39.6% — 7th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 21.4% — 6th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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6. Kentucky
> Share of adults who are obese: 36.4% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.6% — 3rd highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.7% — 7th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 42.1% — 3rd highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 22.0% — 3rd highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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5. Tennessee
> Share of adults who are obese: 36.6% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.0% — 11th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 12.0% — 5th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 40.8% — 4th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 20.3% — 9th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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4. Oklahoma
> Share of adults who are obese: 37.1% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.4% — 2nd highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 11.0% — 12th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.5% — 18th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 21.3% — 7th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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3. Arkansas
> Share of adults who are obese: 38.0% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.4% — 7th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 12.1% — 4th highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.2% — 21st highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 24.1% — 2nd highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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2. West Virginia
> Share of adults who are obese: 39.7% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.5% — 10th highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 13.0% — 2nd highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 42.5% — 2nd highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 24.3% — the highest (US rate: 17.1%)

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1. Mississippi
> Share of adults who are obese: 41.2% (US rate: 32.1%)
> Adults who don’t exercise: 36.9% — the highest (US rate: 25.9%)
> Pop. over 20 with diabetes: 13.3% — the highest (US rate: 9.4%)
> Adults who don’t get enough sleep: 37.8% — 15th highest (US rate: 35.3%)
> Adults in poor or fair health: 22.0% — 4th highest (US rate: 17.1%)

Methodology

To identify the states with the highest obesity rates, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data about the share of adults who are obese in all 50 states. The measure came from the 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

The share of adults who report being in poor or fair health, the share of the population leading a sedentary lifestyle, as well as the share of adults who don’t get enough sleep at night also came from the 2022 CHR. The CHR defines insufficient sleep as having less than seven hours of sleep per night on average.

The age-adjusted percentage of the total population 20 years and over diagnosed with diabetes also came from the 2021 CHR.

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