Obesity is a global pandemic and a significant public health concern in the United States. The World Health Organization estimated that one in eight people is now living with obesity. Each year, WalletHub analyzes 19 key metrics across 100 of the most populous cities to map the 20 most (and least) obese and overweight cities in the US. Is your city on the list?
Obesity Rates Are Rising
Just two years ago, in 2023, 43% of adults were overweight; the stats about worldwide obesity amongst adults have nearly tripled since 1990. In the U.S., four out of five Black women are living with obesity, according to the Office of Minority Health.
Obesity disproportionately affects our community as we have some of the highest rates of obesity or being overweight compared to other groups in the United States. The CDC states that Black adults in the United States have an obesity prevalence of 38 percent among 48 states and D.C. There are a multitude of reasons why obesity is heightened within the U.S., and the array of unhealthy food choices on every corner and highway surely doesn’t help.
We Need to Understand How Having Obesity Impacts Our Community
Recognizing the issues that contribute to these statistics and understanding how they specifically affect our community, we can hopefully find personal ways to address obesity within the nation. Below are the top twenty overweight and obese cities in the U.S. for 2025.
Cities That Have Changed Position
- Jackson, MS, was ranked number two, having previously been ranked number three in 2024.
- Little Rock, AR, is now ranked number two, having previously been at number five in 2024.
- Shreveport, LA, dropped from number three in 2024 to number six in 2025
- Knoxville, TN, moved from number six in 2024 to number five in 2025.
- Augusta, GA, moved from number 16 to number seven in 2025.
- Fayetteville, AR, moved from number 15 in 2024 to number nine in 2025
- Birmingham, AL, moved from number 11 in 2024 to number 10 in 2025
- Memphis, TN, moved from number seven in 2024 to number 11 in 2025
- Baton Rouge, LA dropped from number 9 in 2024 to number 14 in 2025
- Columbia, SC, moved from number 12 in 2024 to number 18 in 2025
2024 Cities removed from the list:
Youngstown, OH, Canton, OH, Tulsa, OK
New 2025 Cities:
Myrtle Beach, SC, El Paso, TX, San Antonio, TX
| Overall Rank | Metro Area | Total Score | Obesity & Overweight | Health Consequences | Food & Fitness |
| 1 | McAllen, Texas | 84.9 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| 2 | Little Rock, AR | 83.82 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | Jackson, MS | 83.99 | 1 | 13 | 17 |
| 4 | Mobile, AL | 83.66 | 8 | 2 | 12 |
| 5 | Knoxville, TN | 82.99 | 23 | 1 | 18 |
| 6 | Shreveport, LA | 82.46 | 12 | 3 | 14 |
| 7 | Augusta, GA | 81.51 | 16 | 9 | 9 |
| 8 | Lafayette, LA | 81.64 | 8 | 25 | 15 |
| 9 | Fayetteville, AR | 81.31 | 4 | 17 | 25 |
| 10 | Birmingham, AL | 81.21 | 22 | 10 | 5 |
| 11 | Memphis, TN | 81.17 | 25 | 6 | 2 |
| 12 | Oklahoma City, OK | 80.17 | 10 | 20 | 17 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | 79.13 | 6 | 7 | 59 |
| 14 | Baton Rouge, LA | 79.12 | 19 | 8 | 29 |
| 15 | Chatanooga, TN | 79.1 | 29 | 22 | 6 |
| 16 | Wichita, KS | 79.94 | 32 | 25 | 4 |
| 17 | New Orleans, LA | 78.9 | 7 | 23 | 33 |
| 18 | Columbia, SC | 78.78 | 39 | 10 | 23 |
| 19 | Myrtle Beach, SC | 78.39 | 21 | 27 | 23 |
| 20 | El Paso, TX | 78.13 | 2 | 72 | 27 |
While this isn’t a personal attack on any of the cities mentioned, it is a call for awareness. We should strive to improve the health of our cities.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for combating this serious medical condition, which people have called obesity, as it may lead to other chronic conditions.
Being vocal about this issue can make a difference, whether amongst ourselves, our loved ones, or a broader community.
