U.S. Obesity &
Nutrition Intelligence

Exploring CDC BRFSS data across all 50 states, 2011–2024. Behavioral, demographic, and geographic patterns in adult obesity prevalence.

34.0%
National rate 2024
+6.4 pts
Change since 2011
110,880
BRFSS records
55
Locations tracked
2024 National Rate
34.0%
Adults with obesity
Highest State (2023)
WV 41.2%
West Virginia
Lowest State (2023)
DC 23.5%
Washington, D.C.
13-Year Rise
+23%
Relative increase
National obesity prevalence trend (2011–2024)
% of U.S. adults aged 18+ with obesity — CDC BRFSS
Obesity by income bracket
Average 2021–2023, all states
Physical inactivity & obesity (top 10 states)
% adults with no leisure-time physical activity vs obesity rate
High risk (≥38%)
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States
Med risk (32–38%)
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States
Lower risk (<32%)
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States
State range
17.7 pts
DC → WV
Adult obesity prevalence by state (2023)
Hover any state for details. Data source: CDC BRFSS.
Lower
Higher | Threshold: <28% Low | 28–34% Moderate | 34–38% High | >38% Very High
Obesity rate by race & ethnicity
Average 2021–2023 — CDC BRFSS. Significant disparities exist across racial and ethnic groups.
Obesity rate by education level
Higher education is inversely associated with obesity prevalence.
Obesity rate by household income
Lower income brackets show consistently higher obesity rates.
Racial gap
30.8 pts
Asian (13.8%) vs Pacific Islander (44.6%)
Education gap
7.7 pts
College grad vs less than HS
Income gap
3.4 pts
<$15k vs $75k+
Personal Obesity Risk Assessment
Answer the questions below to calculate your BMI, assess your risk profile, and receive personalized insights based on CDC BRFSS population data. This is for informational purposes only — consult a medical professional for clinical advice.
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Body Measurements
Used to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI)
Risk threshold: >40 in (men), >35 in (women)
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Physical Activity & Lifestyle
Activity levels are a major predictor of obesity risk in the BRFSS data
60min
None≥150 min = CDC recommended400+
7hrs
3hrs7–9hrs optimal12hrs
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Nutrition Habits
Diet quality is directly associated with obesity outcomes in the CDC data
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Health History & Demographics
Contextual factors that affect obesity risk based on BRFSS population-level findings
Step 1 of 4
Your BMI
Body Mass Index calculation
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BMI scale
Underweight
<18.5Normal
18.5–25Overweight
25–30Obese
>30
Overall Risk Assessment
Based on your inputs and CDC BRFSS population data
Risk score breakdown
Your Risk Factors
Factors contributing to your obesity risk profile
    How you compare to your state's population
    Select a state in the assessment to see your comparison
    🤖
    AI Health Advisor
    ask any question about obesity, nutrition, physical activity, or your personal results
    API Key Required: To use the AI advisor, enter your Anthropic API key below. Your key is only stored in this browser session and never sent anywhere except Anthropic's API.
    Suggested questions
    Your question
    📊 Data context
    The AI has been briefed on CDC BRFSS findings including: 34.0% national obesity rate (2024), state-level disparities, income & education patterns, racial disparities, and physical activity correlations.
    🔒 Privacy note
    Your assessment results and questions are only sent to Anthropic's API. No data is stored on any server. Your API key is held in memory only for this session.
    ⚕️ Disclaimer
    AI-generated responses are for educational and informational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

    Key Findings

    Evidence-based insights from 14 years of CDC BRFSS data across all U.S. states and territories.

    National & Geographic Trends
    📈
    Steady upward trend over 13 years

    National adult obesity rose from 27.6% in 2011 to 34.0% in 2024 — a 23% relative increase. No year showed a decline.

    🗺️
    Southern states carry the highest burden

    West Virginia (41.2%), Mississippi (40.1%), Arkansas (40.0%), Louisiana (39.9%), and Alabama (39.2%) all exceed 39% in 2023.

    🏙️
    Urban and Western states perform better

    DC (23.5%), Colorado (24.9%), and Hawaii (26.1%) consistently rank lowest — metro-heavy and high-activity states show lower rates.

    Socioeconomic Disparities
    💰
    Income is inversely protective

    Adults earning <$15k have 38.1% obesity vs 34.7% at $75k+. Lower income is consistently associated with higher risk.

    🎓
    Education is strongly inversely linked

    College graduates have a 28.7% rate vs 36.4% for those without a high school diploma — a 7.7 percentage point gap.

    Racial & Behavioral Patterns
    ⚠️
    Large racial disparities persist

    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (44.6%), Non-Hispanic Black (40.2%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (39.8%) face the highest rates. Asian adults have notably lower rates (13.8%).

    🏋️
    Inactivity strongly correlates with obesity

    States with highest leisure-time inactivity (Puerto Rico, MS, AR, WV) are also among those with the highest obesity prevalence.

    National trend — all years at a glance