The 3 Most Overweight States in America and the Hidden Causes Behind It

05.11.2025 00:12

Obesity has become a growing concern across the U.S. The weight-loss and diet-control industry now tops $90 billion, while obesity-related health care costs the country around $173 billion annually. Notably, an increasing number of Americans have turned to medical solutions like GLP-1 medications for weight loss, with one in eight adults saying they've tried or are using these treatments.

WalletHub analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 31 metrics, including adult and child obesity rates, physical activity levels, sugary beverage consumption, access to healthy foods, and obesity-related health care costs. Their findings revealed that the top three most overweight states in 2025 are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

West Virginia is at the top of the list, with 42 percent of adults classified as obese and another 31 percent overweight. Teens and children also rank among the highest in obesity nationwide. The state struggles with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, heart attacks, and high cholesterol, costing over $58 million annually in health care. Contributing factors include high sugary beverage consumption among adolescents, limited access to healthy food, low physical activity, and a shortage of fitness centers.

Mississippi follows closely, with 40.4 percent of adults obese and 31.1 percent overweight. Children and teens are also heavily affected. Obesity-related health issues, including hypertension and stroke, cost residents nearly $56 million annually. Poor diets combined with widespread physical inactivity among adults and kids, help explain the state’s high obesity rates.

In Arkansas, 40.5 percent of adults are obese, with an additional 31 percent overweight. Poor diet is a key factor, including low fruit and vegetable consumption and high sugary beverage intake among teens. Obesity-related conditions, including hypertension, strokes, heart disease, and heart attacks, are prevalent.

"Ultimately, obesity leads to people having more difficulty doing work when they are at their jobs, and health complications that increase absenteeism. When we are carrying around more pounds than we ought to, it is more difficult to move, we tire more easily, we are more uncomfortable, and we generally do not feel as well as we would like to," says Michael Peterson, Ed.D. "If you talk to people who have lost weight, they often say that they feel they have more energy, more stamina, and more alertness. They often say that they are more capable of meeting the demands of their jobs."

Combating obesity requires action from both individuals and communities. Statewide strategies can make a real difference, including improving access to healthy foods, encouraging physical activity in schools and communities, reducing sugary beverage consumption, and promoting preventive care. Your environment plays a critical role in shaping health habits, from the foods you can access to exercise opportunities.