2014 CDC Maps now available detailing adult obesity prevalence in the US

What

The latest CDC maps detailing the prevalence of adult obesity in the United States based on 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) state and territory-specific data are now available. Highlights from the data show the following:

• The prevalence of adult obesity remains high with state estimates ranging from 21.3 percent in Colorado to 35.9 percent in Arkansas. 
• No state had a prevalence of adult obesity less than 20 percent.
• Nineteen states had an adult obesity prevalence of 30 percent to less than 35 percent.  These include Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.  
• Three states—Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia—had an adult obesity prevalence of 35 percent or more.
• The Midwest had the highest prevalence of adult obesity (30.7 percent), followed by the South (30.6 percent), the Northeast (27.3 percent), and the West (25.6 percent).

In addition, three maps demonstrate adult obesity prevalence by race/ethnicity using data from 2012-2014.

Where

The 2014 State Obesity Maps are online at www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html.

Background on BRFSS:

The BRFSS is the nation's premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their self-reported health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. BRFSS collects data in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and select U.S. territories.

The 2014 adult obesity prevalence maps use the color scheme and legend that originated in 2011 to illustrate the differences between the old and new methodology for BRFSS. Older maps, 2010 and prior, show the history of the increases in state obesity prevalence, based on the old methodology, and are still available online for reference. The maps for 2010 and prior, feature a different color scheme to remind users not to compare maps from 2010 or before with maps from 2011 or later.

BRFSS is one of several data sets used to monitor the prevalence of adults with obesity in the United States.  Data from the BRFSS, as well as from other data sets, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in which weight and height are measured, indicate that obesity continues to be a major public health problem.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES