Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
How to use this page
Louisiana Value:
Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight
Louisiana Rank:
Additional Measures:
Explore Population Data:
Appears In:
Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight
Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight
Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight
CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight
CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
US Value: 33.9%
Top State(s): Hawaii: 25.0%
Bottom State(s): West Virginia: 40.6%
Definition: Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight
Data Source and Years: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2021
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.
Obesity is a complex health condition. Contributing factors to obesity include the social and physical environment, genetics, prenatal and early life influences, and behaviors such as poor diet and physical inactivity.
Adults who have obesity (a weight categorized as a BMI of 30 or higher based a person’s height and weight) are more likely to have decreased quality of life and increased risk of developing serious health conditions, such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea and breathing problems, some cancers and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Weight stigma, or discrimination and stereotyping based on an individual’s weight, may also negatively influence psychological and physical health.
The costs associated with obesity and obesity-related health problems are staggering. One study estimated the medical costs of obesity to be $342.2 billion (in 2013 dollars). Beyond direct medical costs, the indirect costs of decreased productivity tied to obesity are estimated at $8.65 billion per year among American workers.
The prevalence of obesity among adults is higher among:
Addressing obesity requires a multifaceted approach with efforts from policymakers, state and local government, health care, schools, child care, families and individuals. The built environment, health promotion, food policy and government regulations can support healthy behaviors and help prevent obesity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers prevention strategies at state and local levels, community efforts and tips for living a healthy lifestyle. The Community Preventive Services Task Force has compiled a list of resources for community-level interventions that can lower obesity rates by supporting healthy eating and active living in various settings. Examples of policy recommendations that address obesity include:
The Healthy Weight Checklist is a resource for staying healthy; it provides information on eating healthy, getting enough sleep and physical activity, limiting screen time and reducing stress. The CDC recommends that pregnant women track their weight gain to promote healthy pregnancy weight.
Healthy People 2030 has several objectives for weight and nutrition including reducing the proportion of adults with obesity. They also have neighborhood and built environment objectives that promote healthy and safe environments for physical activity.
Andreyeva, Tatiana, Joerg Luedicke, and Y. Claire Wang. “State-Level Estimates of Obesity-Attributable Costs of Absenteeism.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 56, no. 11 (November 2014): 1120–27. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000000298.
Biener, Adam, John Cawley, and Chad Meyerhoefer. “The High and Rising Costs of Obesity to the US Health Care System.” Journal of General Internal Medicine 32, no. S1 (April 2017): 6–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3968-8.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.