Maryland ranks as the 22nd most overweight state, with Pennsylvania number 25, according to a study by the financial services firm WalletHub.
It’s pretty easy to see on the map that the states with the higher poverty rates also rank as heaviest.
More than seven in 10 U.S. adults ages 20 and older are either overweight or obese, according to the most recent data from the CDC. Rates are lower for children and adolescents but have risen dramatically in the past few decades. America’s obesity problem is so prevalent that the weight-loss and diet control industry is massive, worth at least $90 billion. In addition, obesity costs our health care system $173 billion per year.
To determine where obesity and overweight most dangerously persist, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 key metrics. Our data set ranges from the share of obese and overweight residents to sugary-beverage consumption among adolescents to obesity-related health care costs.
Top 5 Most Overweight States
- West Virginia
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Alabama
“While losing weight largely hinges on whether an individual chooses to eat healthy foods, limit their calorie intake and exercise consistently, certain states make shedding the pounds easier than others,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo.
“For example, some states are much better at regulating school lunches to make sure they are healthy, giving adults more opportunities to buy fresh, nutritious ingredients. In addition, while anyone can exercise at home, some states provide far more locations dedicated to working out or playing sports.”
