Indiana Ranks No. 9 In List of Most Obese US States
US News has released statistics that highlight the growing health epidemic in the US.
Around 2 in 5 Americans are obese. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or above – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As part of the 2025 Best States rankings, U.S. News evaluated adult obesity rates for all 50 states based on self-reported survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a partnership between the CDC and state health departments. A state’s obesity rate factors into the public health subcategory of the Best States analysis, which provides insight into the quality of life in a state and informs the best states for health care rankings, as well as the list of the best states in the U.S. overall.
These Are the 10 States With the Highest Obesity Rates
| State | Obesity Rate |
| West Virginia | 41.7% |
| Arkansas | 40.5% |
| Mississippi | 40.4% |
| Louisiana | 39.9% |
| Alabama | 39.4% |
| Oklahoma | 39.0% |
| Iowa | 37.9% |
| Kentucky* | 37.8% |
| Indiana | 37.8% |
| Tennessee | 37.8% |
