In 1980, no state had an adult obesity rate above 15 percent, and in 1991, no state had a rate above 20 percent. Now, obesity rates are not below 21 percent in any states, according to "The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America."
The State of Obesity report was published by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The report — based on 2014 state-by-state data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey — found adult obesity rates were lowest in the following 15 states:
- Colorado — 21.3 percent
- Hawaii — 22.1 percent
- Massachusetts — 23.3 percent
- California — 24.7 percent
- Vermont — 24.8 percent
- Utah — 25.7 percent
- Florida — 26.2 percent
- Connecticut — 26.3 percent
- Montana — 26.4 percent
- New Jersey — 26.9 percent
- Rhode Island — 27 percent
- New York — 27 percent
- Washington — 27.3 percent
- New Hampshire — 27.4 percent
- Minnesota — 27.6 percent
To see a list of the most obese states in the country, click here.
More articles on obesity:
Using the Chronic Care Model to prevent, treat obesity: 3 tips
Link between food deserts and obesity is questioned in new study
10 metro areas with the highest, lowest obesity rates