Which states have highest obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke mortality rates?

West Virginia has the highest prevalence of obesity and highest diabetes rate in the nation.

12/5/2024

LookMeds has crunched federal government data to come up with a ranking for all 50 states and the District of Columbia across four key metrics to determine which ones are most at risk for these diseases.

Here is what they found:

West Virginia has the highest prevalence of obesity in the nation at 41.2.
West Virginia also has the highest diabetes rate in the nation, with 15.9% of the adult population being diagnosed with diabetes.
Oklahoma has the highest heart disease mortality rate in the nation at 257.1.
Delaware has the highest stroke mortality rate at 56.9.
Mississippi has the second-highest obesity prevalence, diabetes rate, heart disease mortality rate and stroke rate in the nation.

Here are the 10 states with the highest prevalence of obesity and its related health factors:

1. Mississippi

Mississippi has the second-highest prevalence of obesity in the nation at 40.1, and 15.3% of the adult population has diagnosed diabetes. Mississippi also had some of the highest mortality rates when it came to heart disease and strokes, at 248 and 54.2, respectively.

Obesity Prevalence: 40.1
Diabetes Rate: 15.3
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 248
Stroke Mortality Rate: 54.2

2. Alabama

Alabama saw an obesity prevalence of 39.2, with 14.9% of adults having been diagnosed with diabetes. Additionally, Alabama’s heart disease mortality rate is 234.2, the third-highest in the United States. The stroke mortality rate was also the third-highest at 51.1.

Obesity Prevalence: 39.2
Diabetes Rate: 14.9
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 234.2
Stroke Mortality Rate: 51.1

3. Louisiana

Louisiana comes in third for states with the highest rates of obesity and related health issues. The state has an obesity prevalence of 39.9. Also, 13.8% of the adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes. The heart disease mortality rate is 224, and the stroke mortality rate is 50.2, the fourth highest in the nation.

Obesity Prevalence: 39.9
Diabetes Rate: 13.8
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 224
Stroke Mortality Rate: 50.2

4. West Virginia

West Virginia ranks fourth in America’s health crisis hotspots. The state has the highest prevalence of obesity in the nation, at 41.2. It also has the highest diabetes rate, with 15.9% of the adult population having been diagnosed. However, it has lower mortality rates, with a heart disease mortality rate of 209.5 and a stroke mortality rate of 43.4, earning West Virginia fourth place.

Obesity Prevalence: 41.2
Diabetes Rate: 15.9
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 209.5
Stroke Mortality Rate: 43.4

5. Arkansas

Coming in fifth is Arkansas. It has the third-highest prevalence of obesity, at 40, and 12.3% of the adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes. Arkansas has the fourth-highest rate of heart disease mortality, at 224.1. Finally, the stroke mortality rate is 46.

Obesity Prevalence: 40
Diabetes Rate: 12.3
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 224.1
Stroke Mortality Rate: 46

6. Tennessee

Tennessee ranks sixth for states with the highest prevalence of obesity, with a 37.6 rate. Additionally, 13.7% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, which is the sixth highest rate in the nation. Finally, it has a heart disease mortality rate of 218.3 and a stroke mortality rate of 46.4.

Obesity Prevalence: 37.6
Diabetes Rate: 13.7
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 218.3
Stroke Mortality Rate: 46.4

7. Kentucky

Kentucky is the seventh state for America’s health crisis hotspots. With an obesity prevalence of 37.7 and a diabetes rate of 13.8%, Kentucky ranks above the national average in both categories. It also scores high above the national averages for heart disease and stroke mortality rates at 208.6 and 42.9, respectively.

Obesity Prevalence: 37.7
Diabetes Rate: 13.8
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 208.6
Stroke Mortality Rate: 42.9

8. Oklahoma

Oklahoma comes in eighth place. The prevalence of obesity is above the national average at 38.7, and 12.6% of the adult population has diabetes. However, Oklahoma has the highest heart disease mortality rate in the nation at 257.1. It is only slightly above the national average for stroke mortality rate at 39.5.

Obesity Prevalence: 38.7
Diabetes Rate: 12.6
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 257.1
Stroke Mortality Rate: 39.5

9. Ohio

Ohio has an obesity prevalence of 36.4, and of the adult population, 12.6% have been diagnosed with diabetes. It has a heart disease mortality rate of 193.9 and a stroke mortality rate of 46.5.

Obesity Prevalence: 36.4
Diabetes Rate: 12.6
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 193.9
Stroke Mortality Rate: 46.5

10. South Carolina

Finishing the list of America’s top health crisis hotspots is South Carolina. It has an obesity prevalence of 36 and a diabetes rate of 13.3%. Finally, the heart disease mortality rate is 177.7, and the stroke mortality rate is 45.6.

Obesity Prevalence: 36
Diabetes Rate: 13.3
Heart Disease Mortality Rate: 177.7
Stroke Mortality Rate: 45.6

America’s healthiest states:

On the flip side, this data reveals which states are healthier, with lower rates of obesity and its related health concerns. Overall, Colorado ranks as number one for America’s healthiest state, having one of the lowest obesity rates in the nation and scoring below the national average in each category.

The District of Columbia takes first place with the lowest prevalence of obesity in the nation.
Colorado also has the lowest diabetes rate among the adult population.
Minnesota has the lowest heart disease mortality rates, earning it the top spot in this category.
New York has the lowest stroke mortality rates in the nation, placing it at number one for this metric.