Recent public health crises, namely the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic, have overshadowed a longer-standing problem in the United States — obesity. Since the early 1960s, the share of American adults under age 75 who are considered obese more than tripled. Currently, an estimated 72.2 million Americans age 20 and up are obese, or 29.7% of the age group.
Obesity status is determined by body mass index, or BMI — a ratio of height to body weight. Americans with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese, and are at greater risk of diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, breathing problems, certain cancers, and mortality, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can also detract from overall quality of life and contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.
Using data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 24/7 Tempo identified the most obese metropolitan areas in the United States. The U.S. has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, and in many metros on this list, over 40% of the adult population are obese.
The majority of metro areas on this list are located in the South, including six counties in Texas and five in Louisiana.
Though many factors, including genetics, diet, and medical conditions, contribute to increased risk of obesity, regular physical activity is one of the best ways to help maintain a healthy weight. In all but five metros on this list, the share of adults who do not exercise regularly is higher than the 22.7% share of adults nationwide. Here is a look at the most physically active cities in America.
By some measures, health outcomes are worse than average in most of these metro areas as well. For example, obesity is a leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, and in nearly all of the metros on this list, diabetes is more common than it is nationwide.
Click here to see America’s most obese metro areas
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Odessa, TX
> Adult obesity rate: 37.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.0% — 24th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 8.7% — 59th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.0% — 22nd highest of 384 metros
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49. Dubuque, IA
> Adult obesity rate: 37.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.8% — 192nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 8.1% — 41st lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.0% — 15th lowest of 384 metros
48. Grand Island, NE
> Adult obesity rate: 37.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.6% — 90th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 11.5% — 162nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.0% — 88th lowest of 384 metros
47. Laredo, TX
> Adult obesity rate: 37.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.9% — 27th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 9.1% — 79th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 34.9% — the highest of 384 metros
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46. Michigan City-La Porte, IN
> Adult obesity rate: 37.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.5% — 53rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.2% — 29th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.5% — 77th highest of 384 metros
45. Jefferson City, MO
> Adult obesity rate: 37.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.7% — 159th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.3% — 118th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.1% — 170th lowest of 384 metros
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44. Burlington, NC
> Adult obesity rate: 37.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 23.2% — 171st lowest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 10.7% — 179th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.0% — 93rd highest of 384 metros
43. Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
> Adult obesity rate: 37.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.6% — 93rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 13.6% — 56th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.3% — 157th highest of 384 metros
42. Cleveland, TN
> Adult obesity rate: 37.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.5% — 40th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 14.6% — 44th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.5% — 47th highest of 384 metros
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41. Longview, WA
> Adult obesity rate: 37.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.7% — 118th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 13.2% — 69th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.5% — 146th highest of 384 metros
40. Mobile, AL
> Adult obesity rate: 37.8%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 28.7% — 69th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 14.7% — 41st highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.2% — 86th highest of 384 metros
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39. Yuma, AZ
> Adult obesity rate: 37.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.3% — 174th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.0% — 131st highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.1% — 11th highest of 384 metros
38. Kankakee, IL
> Adult obesity rate: 38.0%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.0% — 13th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 13.2% — 68th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.2% — 166th highest of 384 metros
37. Morristown, TN
> Adult obesity rate: 38.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.3% — 18th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 14.9% — 35th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.1% — 20th highest of 384 metros
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36. Sherman-Denison, TX
> Adult obesity rate: 38.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 34.9% — 2nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 11.0% — 187th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.3% — 158th highest of 384 metros
35. Warner Robins, GA
> Adult obesity rate: 38.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 28.9% — 65th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 14.8% — 38th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.7% — 138th highest of 384 metros
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34. Lebanon, PA
> Adult obesity rate: 38.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.2% — 138th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% — 103rd highest of 384 metros (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.6% — 192nd highest of 384 metros
33. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
> Adult obesity rate: 38.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.4% — 172nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 11.1% — 183rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 33.1% — 3rd highest of 384 metros
32. Charleston, WV
> Adult obesity rate: 38.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.7% — 110th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 16.3% — 16th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.9% — 43rd highest of 384 metros
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31. Florence, SC
> Adult obesity rate: 38.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.8% — 29th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 16.8% — 10th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.5% — 78th highest of 384 metros
30. Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
> Adult obesity rate: 38.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.0% — 26th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.3% — 27th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.9% — 96th highest of 384 metros
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29. Dover, DE
> Adult obesity rate: 38.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.9% — 38th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 13.9% — 54th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.0% — 91st highest of 384 metros
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28. Macon-Bibb County, GA
> Adult obesity rate: 38.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.1% — 21st highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 18.6% — the highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.2% — 60th highest of 384 metros
27. Dothan, AL
> Adult obesity rate: 38.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.5% — 9th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 16.9% — 9th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.9% — 24th highest of 384 metros
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26. Racine, WI
> Adult obesity rate: 38.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 22.1% — 136th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 10.4% — 168th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.4% — 105th lowest of 384 metros
25. Williamsport, PA
> Adult obesity rate: 38.8%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 21.8% — 124th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 10.6% — 174th lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.5% — 188th lowest of 384 metros
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24. Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY
> Adult obesity rate: 38.8%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.2% — 46th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.1% — 125th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.7% — 74th highest of 384 metros
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23. Beckley, WV
> Adult obesity rate: 38.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.7% — 39th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 17.9% — 3rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.6% — 15th highest of 384 metros
22. Monroe, MI
> Adult obesity rate: 38.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 26.0% — 125th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 11.2% — 176th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.4% — 149th lowest of 384 metros
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21. Rocky Mount, NC
> Adult obesity rate: 38.9%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 27.8% — 85th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 17.3% — 6th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.5% — 34th highest of 384 metros
20. Greenville, NC
> Adult obesity rate: 39.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.9% — 151st highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 10.5% — 171st lowest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.2% — 117th highest of 384 metros
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19. Parkersburg-Vienna, WV
> Adult obesity rate: 39.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 30.3% — 43rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 17.8% — 4th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.1% — 39th highest of 384 metros
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18. Saginaw, MI
> Adult obesity rate: 39.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 24.7% — 161st highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% — 103rd highest of 384 metros (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.7% — 140th highest of 384 metros
17. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
> Adult obesity rate: 39.6%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.3% — 33rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.5% — 21st highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.2% — 36th highest of 384 metros
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16. Houma-Thibodaux, LA
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.3% — 55th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.8% — 91st highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.7% — 28th highest of 384 metros
15. Jonesboro, AR
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.3% — 10th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.2% — 30th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.1% — 21st highest of 384 metros
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14. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.0% — 64th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.6% — 97th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.7% — 27th highest of 384 metros
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13. Goldsboro, NC
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 28.6% — 72nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 16.0% — 17th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.6% — 30th highest of 384 metros
12. Anniston-Oxford, AL
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.1% — 35th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 17.0% — 8th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.7% — 29th highest of 384 metros
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11. Albany, GA
> Adult obesity rate: 39.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.1% — 20th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 17.2% — 7th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.2% — 19th highest of 384 metros
10. Jackson, MS
> Adult obesity rate: 40.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.2% — 59th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% — 107th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.4% — 82nd highest of 384 metros
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9. Jackson, TN
> Adult obesity rate: 40.1%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.0% — 37th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.6% — 19th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.7% — 26th highest of 384 metros
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8. Hammond, LA
> Adult obesity rate: 40.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 33.1% — 11th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 11.7% — 152nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.1% — 38th highest of 384 metros
7. Sumter, SC
> Adult obesity rate: 40.3%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.2% — 57th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 14.4% — 46th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.9% — 67th highest of 384 metros
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6. Alexandria, LA
> Adult obesity rate: 40.4%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.0% — 22nd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 16.4% — 14th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.1% — 40th highest of 384 metros
5. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
> Adult obesity rate: 41.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 32.0% — 23rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 13.6% — 58th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.2% — 56th highest of 384 metros
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4. Monroe, LA
> Adult obesity rate: 42.0%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 31.2% — 34th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.0% — 34th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.8% — 25th highest of 384 metros
3. Pine Bluff, AR
> Adult obesity rate: 42.5%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 34.0% — 7th highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 14.7% — 40th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.0% — 7th highest of 384 metros
2. Texarkana, TX-AR
> Adult obesity rate: 42.7%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 34.5% — 3rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 15.3% — 28th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.0% — 41st highest of 384 metros
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1. Danville, IL
> Adult obesity rate: 43.2%
> Adults who don’t exercise: 29.0% — 63rd highest of 384 metros
> Adults with diabetes: 12.4% — 110th highest of 384 metros
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.1% — 90th highest of 384 metros
Methodology
To determine America’s most obese metros, 24/7 Tempo reviewed county-level adult obesity rates from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program’s 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report.
The adult obesity rate is defined as the share of adults 20 years and older who report a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher. We aggregated county-level statistics to metropolitan statistical areas. While the CHR report is from 2021, obesity rate figures published in the report are from 2017.
We used the 384 metropolitan statistical areas as delineated by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the Census Bureau as our definition of metros.
Metros were ranked based on the adult obesity rate. Additional information on the share of adults who report no leisure-time physical activity, the share of adults diagnosed with diabetes, and the share of adults who report fair or poor health are also from the 2021 CHR.
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