For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with adult obesity rates of 35% or higher has dropped — an encouraging sign that America’s struggle with excess weight might finally be improving.
According to the 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data analyzed by the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), 19 states had obesity rates of 35% or higher in 2024, down from 23 states the year before.
That’s a modest but meaningful improvement in a trend that has shown steady increases for more than 10 years. Still, public health experts warn that the nation’s progress could easily reverse as federal funding cuts, staff layoffs, and program eliminations begin to weaken obesity prevention efforts.
“It’s too soon to call it a trend,” said Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, president and CEO of TFAH. “And with recent funding cuts, this potential progress is also at risk.”
Where Kansas and Missouri Stand
According to the TFAH “State of Obesity” report:
- Kansas: 35.9% of adults have obesity.
- Missouri: 35.3% of adults have obesity.
That places both states right at the threshold of the highest-risk category — states with adult obesity rates of 35% or higher. By comparison, obesity rates ranged from a low of 25% in Colorado to a high of over 40% in West Virginia.
A National Snapshot
The report found that 22 states had rates between 30% and 35%, while nine states had obesity rates below 30%. In total, about 40% of U.S. adults now live with obesity — a chronic condition linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
The findings suggest early signs of improvement after years of steady increases. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of states with adult obesity rates of 35% or more grew from none to a dozen. By 2023, the number had climbed to 23.
Why the Shift May Be Happening
Researchers say it’s too early to pinpoint one reason for the decline, but several factors may be playing a role:
- Increased access to weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound.
- Expanded nutrition assistance programs and healthier food policies introduced during the pandemic.
- Growing investment in local physical activity programs and community health initiatives.
Still, experts caution that cutting federal programs focused on nutrition, obesity prevention, and chronic disease management could erase the gains.
“These interventions may actually be working,” said Solveig Cunningham, an Emory University global health expert. “But without continued funding, that progress could vanish.”
What Comes Next
Public health advocates are urging Congress and state leaders to restore funding for chronic disease prevention and expand access to affordable, healthy food — especially in underserved neighborhoods.
“This is a moment of hope,” Gracia said. “But to make progress permanent, we need sustained investment and a national commitment to health equity.”