Each U.S. state has at least 20% of adults living with obesity: CDC

Latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that obesity prevalence among U.S. adults remains high, with at least one in five adult Americans in each state living with obesity last year.

In 2023, the prevalence of obesity in all U.S. states and territories was higher than 20%, the CDC said in a report on Thursday, In contrast, no U.S. state had an adult obesity prevalence of 35% or more in 2013.

The report was based on height and weight data recorded by individuals in the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Twenty-three states, including Michigan, Delaware, Georgia, and New Mexico, reported the highest adult obesity rates (35% or higher), meaning more than one in three adults had a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.

“This new data highlights the need for obesity prevention and treatment options,” said Karen Hacker, CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

In the U.S., semaglutide and tirzepatide, GLP-1 agonists marketed by Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly’s (NYSE:LLY) as Wegovy and Zepbound are available to treat obesity in combination with lifestyle modifications such as reduced calorie intake.

Soaring demand for the treatments has led to supply constraints, with companies like Hims & Hers Health (NYSE:HIMS) launching businesses to offer compounded versions of semaglutide at a sharp discount to the branded version.