Obesity is a serious epidemic in the United States. Over one third of the population has a Body Mass Index (BMI) score greater than or equal to 30, which is considered not just overweight, but obese. Obesity can take a significant toll on one’s overall health and longevity.
As of 2016, the states with the greatest share of obese people include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia, where 35% or more of the population are obese. States in the West and Northeast tend to have healthier lifestyles, with obesity rates of 25 to 30%. Within any state, no matter where it’s located, there are regions where residents are far more likely to have avoided obesity.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found the counties with the lowest obesity rates in each state. Eagle County in Colorado is the least obese county in all of the country, with 11.8% of the population considered obese. Only 9.4% of the population is physically inactive — less than half of the national average of 22% — and just 3.3% of the population has diabetes.
Click here to see the least obese county in every state.
Colorado has the lowest obesity rate in the country — only 21.3% of Colorado’s population is obese. Hawaii and Massachusetts round out the three states with the lowest shares of adults with a BMI of 30 or greater. Five out of the top six counties with the lowest obesity rates reside within states on the West Coast, more than likely due to the region’s emphasis on outdoor recreational activities and healthier dietary choices.
The four counties with the highest obesity rates are among the southern-most states, with the exception of West Virginia. The southern states have the greatest obesity rates, which in addition to higher rates of physical inactivity, may be due to regional eating habits. Some elements of Southern cooking tend to involve fried food that’s high in fat.
Poor counties, where access to healthy food is minimal, are especially at risk of obesity. The least obese county in Arkansas, Benton County, still has the highest obesity rate among all of the counties on this list, with 30% of the population suffering from obesity. Arkansas is plagued with “food deserts” which, depending on whether the area is urban or rural, means residents are at least 1 to 10 miles away from fresh produce and other healthful foods.
Perhaps as a result of the local cuisine, and certainly a result of food deserts and effects of poverty on eating habits, southern states have a higher prevalence of obesity. Not surprisingly, these states also have a high rate of diabetes, which is strongly correlated with obesity. In fact, seven southern states have diabetes rates that exceed the national average of 9%.
The top 15 counties with the lowest obesity rates also have diabetes rates that fall below the national average. In addition, the percentage of physically inactive people in these counties doesn’t exceed 17.9%, well below the national average of 22%.
Read on to see which county in your state has the least reports of obesity.
To identify the least obese county in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2013 county-level obesity rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. National and Statewide obesity rates, physical inactivity rates, diabetes prevalence from 2013 are also retrieved from the CDC.
Source: Rex Wholster / Shutterstock.com
1. Alabama
> Least obese county: Baldwin County
> County obesity rate: 27.4%
> Adults who do not exercise: 22.3% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.4% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 32.4% (8th highest)
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Source: Ken Schulze / Shutterstock.com
2. Alaska
> Least obese county: Haines Borough
> County obesity rate: 25.5%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 28.4% (23rd lowest)
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Source: Rex Wholster / Shutterstock.com
3. Arizona
> Least obese county: Santa Cruz County
> County obesity rate: 23.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.7% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.8% (17th lowest)
Source: Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons
4. Arkansas
> Least obese county: Benton County
> County obesity rate: 30.1%
> Adults who do not exercise: 24.9% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.6% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 34.6% (3rd highest)
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Source: Thinkstock
5. California
> Least obese county: San Francisco County
> County obesity rate: 16.1%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 24.1% (tied–4th lowest)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
6. Colorado
> Least obese county: Eagle County
> County obesity rate: 11.8%
> Adults who do not exercise: 9.4% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 3.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 21.3% (the lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
7. Connecticut
> Least obese county: Fairfield County
> County obesity rate: 21.4%
> Adults who do not exercise: 18.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 25.0% (8th lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
8. Delaware
> Least obese county: New Castle County
> County obesity rate: 27.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 22.4% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 31.1% (13th highest)
Source: Swarm / Wikimedia Commons
9. Florida
> Least obese county: Collier County
> County obesity rate: 19.5%
> Adults who do not exercise: 18.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.4% (tied–13th lowest)
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Source: HowardSF / Wikimedia Commons
10. Georgia
> Least obese county: Cobb County
> County obesity rate: 22.9%
> Adults who do not exercise: 18.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 30.3% (18th highest)
Source: Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock.com
11. Hawaii
> Least obese county: Kauai County
> County obesity rate: 20.6%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 21.8% (2nd lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
12. Idaho
> Least obese county: Blaine County
> County obesity rate: 19.2%
> Adults who do not exercise: 12.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 29.6% (tied–23rd highest)
Source: John D. Buell / Wikimedia Commons
13. Illinois
> Least obese county: DuPage County
> County obesity rate: 23.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.1% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 29.4% (tied–25th highest)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
14. Indiana
> Least obese county: Monroe County
> County obesity rate: 22.1%
> Adults who do not exercise: 19.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.7% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 31.8% (9th highest)
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Source: Vkulikov / Wikimedia Commons
15. Iowa
> Least obese county: Johnson County
> County obesity rate: 23.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 16.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 5.4% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 31.3% (12th highest)
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/garettgabriel/
16. Kansas
> Least obese county: Riley County
> County obesity rate: 23.8%
> Adults who do not exercise: 16.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 5.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 30.0% (tied–19th highest)
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Source: Bridget Calip / Shutterstock.com
17. Kentucky
> Least obese county: Fayette County
> County obesity rate: 27.3%
> Adults who do not exercise: 20.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 33.2% (5th highest)
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
18. Louisiana
> Least obese county: St. Tammany Parish
> County obesity rate: 27.8%
> Adults who do not exercise: 22.5% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.6% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 33.1% (6th highest)
Source: Rapidfire / Wikimedia Commons
19. Maine
> Least obese county: Cumberland County
> County obesity rate: 22.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 28.9% (24th lowest)
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Source: Wikipedian1234 / Wikimedia Commons
20. Maryland
> Least obese county: Montgomery County
> County obesity rate: 20.1%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 28.3% (22nd lowest)
Source: Mark Yarchoan / Shutterstock,.com
21. Massachusetts
> Least obese county: Hampshire County
> County obesity rate: 18.9%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 23.6% (3rd lowest)
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Source: Barbara Kalbfleisch / Shutterstock.com
22. Michigan
> Least obese county: Washtenaw County
> County obesity rate: 24.4%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 31.5% (11th highest)
Source: Joe Ferrer / Shutterstock.com
23. Minnesota
> Least obese county: Hennepin County
> County obesity rate: 22.8%
> Adults who do not exercise: 16.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 25.5% (10th lowest)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
24. Mississippi
> Least obese county: Madison County
> County obesity rate: 28.6%
> Adults who do not exercise: 27.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 35.1% (tied–the highest)
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Source: Kbh3rd / Wikimedia Commons
25. Missouri
> Least obese county: St. Charles County
> County obesity rate: 25.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 20.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.4% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 30.4% (tied–16th highest)
Source: Thinkstock
26. Montana
> Least obese county: Gallatin County
> County obesity rate: 15.5%
> Adults who do not exercise: 13.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 4.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 24.6% (6th lowest)
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Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons
27. Nebraska
> Least obese county: Perkins County
> County obesity rate: 24.5%
> Adults who do not exercise: 26.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 29.6% (tied–23rd highest)
Source: Thinkstock
28. Nevada
> Least obese county: Douglas County
> County obesity rate: 21.4%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.2% (11th lowest)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
29. New Hampshire
> Least obese county: Carroll County
> County obesity rate: 25.2%
> Adults who do not exercise: 18.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.1% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.7% (16th lowest)
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
30. New Jersey
> Least obese county: Morris County
> County obesity rate: 21.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 18.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.3% (12th lowest)
Source: Thinkstock
31. New Mexico
> Least obese county: Santa Fe County
> County obesity rate: 13.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 10.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 4.7% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.4% (tied–13th lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
32. New York
> Least obese county: New York County
> County obesity rate: 14.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.7% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 25.4% (9th lowest)
Source: Thinkstock
33. North Carolina
> Least obese county: Orange County
> County obesity rate: 23.3%
> Adults who do not exercise: 16.7% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 29.4% (tied–25th highest)
Source: Andrew Filer / Shutterstock.com
34. North Dakota
> Least obese county: Griggs County
> County obesity rate: 26.9%
> Adults who do not exercise: 24.9% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 31.0% (14th highest)
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Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons
35. Ohio
> Least obese county: Lake County
> County obesity rate: 26.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 23.7% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 11.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 30.4% (tied–16th highest)
Source: AbeEzekowitz / Wikimedia Commons
36. Oklahoma
> Least obese county: Craig County
> County obesity rate: 27.4%
> Adults who do not exercise: 32.7% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 13.1% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 32.5% (7th highest)
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
37. Oregon
> Least obese county: Multnomah County
> County obesity rate: 21.3%
> Adults who do not exercise: 12.6% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.7% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 26.5% (15th lowest)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
38. Pennsylvania
> Least obese county: Chester County
> County obesity rate: 23.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 17.1% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 30.0% (tied–19th highest)
Source: Thinkstock
39. Rhode Island
> Least obese county: Bristol County
> County obesity rate: 22.9%
> Adults who do not exercise: 19.9% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 8.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 27.3% (20th lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
40. South Carolina
> Least obese county: Beaufort County
> County obesity rate: 22.0%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.8% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 31.7% (10th highest)
Source: Rex Wholster / Shutterstock.com
41. South Dakota
> Least obese county: Lawrence County
> County obesity rate: 25.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 18.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 7.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 29.9% (21st highest)
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Source: Ichabod / Wikimedia Commons
42. Tennessee
> Least obese county: Williamson County
> County obesity rate: 25.9%
> Adults who do not exercise: 20.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 33.7% (4th highest)
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Source: Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com
43. Texas
> Least obese county: Travis County
> County obesity rate: 20.3%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.0% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.4% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 30.9% (15th highest)
Source: Tricia Simpson / Wikimedia Commons
44. Utah
> Least obese county: Summit County
> County obesity rate: 14.4%
> Adults who do not exercise: 11.1% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 4.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 24.1% (tied–4th lowest)
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
45. Vermont
> Least obese county: Chittenden County
> County obesity rate: 19.8%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.1% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 24.7% (7th lowest)
Source: Arlington County / Wikimedia Commons
46. Virginia
> Least obese county: Arlington County
> County obesity rate: 16.1%
> Adults who do not exercise: 13.4% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 4.2% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 27.2% (tied–18th lowest)
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Source: Michael Feist / Wikimedia Commons
47. Washington
> Least obese county: San Juan County
> County obesity rate: 20.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.1% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 10.2% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 27.2% (tied-18th lowest)
Source: Taber Andrew Bain / Wikimedia Commons
48. West Virginia
> Least obese county: Monongalia County
> County obesity rate: 28.8%
> Adults who do not exercise: 24.1% (above nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 9.1% (above nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 35.1% (tied–the highest)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
49. Wisconsin
> Least obese county: Dane County
> County obesity rate: 23.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 15.5% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 6.3% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 29.8% (22nd highest)
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Source: Kristin / Wikimedia Commons
50. Wyoming
> Least obese county: Teton County
> County obesity rate: 12.7%
> Adults who do not exercise: 10.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Adults with diabetes: 4.8% (below nat’l avg.)
> Statewide obesity rate: 27.8% (21st lowest)
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