Obesity is a major public health challenge in the United States, contributing to various chronic diseases and affecting millions of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), twenty-two states had an obesity prevalence of more than 35%. Obesity can lead to serious health issues like Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It can also lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Here is a list of eleven of the most obese counties in America, according to a report by U.S. News based on the 2021 Healthiest Communities analysis data.
Perry County, Alabama
Perry County, Alabama, is the most obese county in the U.S. The obesity rate is 52.5%, and the overall score for the healthiest communities is 13.7.
The high rates of obesity in Perry County are due to socio-economic conditions like high rates of poverty. Nearly 32.8% of the population lives below the poverty line. This leads to reliance on cheaper, calorie-dense foods, which can be addictive and lead to higher obesity rates. Other factors like smoking contribute to obesity, and Perry County ranks high in smoking rate, too, at 26.5%.
Greene County, Alabama
Greene County, Alabama, is the second-most obese county in the U.S. The obesity rate is 52.0%, and the overall healthiest communities score is 10.5.
High poverty rates and limited access to healthcare are the primary reasons for high obesity rates in Greene County. 32.9% of the population in Greene County lives below the poverty line, and only 0.39 primary care doctors are available per 1000 residents.
Claiborne County, Mississippi
Claiborne County, Mississippi, is the third most obese county in the U.S. The obesity rate is 51.2%, and the overall score for the healthiest communities is 20.1.
High poverty rates and limited physical activity by residents are the primary reasons for high obesity rates in Claiborne County. 30.4% of the population in Claiborne County lives below the poverty line, and 40.6% of adults reported no physical activity. Additionally the residents also lead a sedentary lifestyle with no exercise, 45.7% of residents reported no physical activity.
Coahoma County, Mississippi
Coahoma County, Mississippi, is one of the most obese counties in the U.S. The obesity rate is 51.0%, and the score for the healthiest communities is 20.7.
The major reasons for the high obesity rates in Coahoma County are the high poverty rate, 37.0%, and the high unemployment rate, 4.9%. People with low or no income cannot always afford healthy food, and fast food is usually cheap, causing them to consume more fast food which is often fried, salty and filled with sugar, leading to obesity and related problems like Diabetes (18.9%).
Sunflower County, Mississippi
Sunflower County, Mississippi, is one of the most obese counties in the U.S. The obesity rate is 50.9%, and the score for the healthiest communities is 23.3.
The major reasons for the high obesity rates in Sunflower County are high poverty rates and limited physical activity. 30.4% of the population in the county lives below the poverty line, and 37.8% of adults reported no physical activity. Additionally, the prevalence of Diabetes is also high in Sunflower County, 17.7%, indicating high dependency on sugar and low healthcare access.
Humphreys County, Mississippi
Humphreys County, Mississippi, is one of the most obese counties in the U.S. The obesity rate is 50.6%, and the overall score for the healthiest communities is 15.2.
High poverty rates and limited physical activity are the major reasons for obesity in Humphreys County. With a poverty rate of 32.1%, many residents struggle to afford nutritious food, leading to reliance on cheaper, unhealthy options that contribute to obesity. Additionally, the built environment in Humphreys County lacks adequate infrastructure for physical activity, such as parks and safe walking areas, resulting in a sedentary lifestyle for many residents; 42.3% of adults report not engaging in regular exercise.
Holmes County, Mississippi
Holmes County, Mississippi, has a high obesity rate of 50.6%, and its overall healthiest community score is 13.6.
High poverty rates, high unemployment rates, consumption of unhealthy food, and limited access to healthcare significantly drive obesity in Holmes County. 35.0% of the county’s population lives below the poverty line, and 5.7% are unemployed. Additionally, the consumption of unhealthy food like Soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages is alarmingly high, 69.99, as opposed to 0.38 in the rest of the U.S. Holmes County also ranks low in primary care doctor availability, with only 0.77 primary care doctors per 1000 people.
East Carroll Parish, Louisiana
East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, has a high obesity rate of 50.5%, and its overall healthiest community score is 6.5.
High Poverty rates, 40.3%, and high unemployment rates, 8.8%, are the main drivers of the high obesity rates in East Carroll Parish. These economic challenges restrict food options, forcing many to rely on cheaper, processed foods that are high in calories but low in nutritional value. The lack of grocery stores offering fresh produce further exacerbates this issue, as convenience stores typically stock unhealthy options. Apart from this, healthcare access is also limited, preventing residents from receiving necessary preventive care and management for obesity-related conditions like Diabetes, which affects about 21.6% of the population.
Leflore County, Mississippi
Leflore County, Mississippi, has a high obesity rate, 49.7%, and the overall healthiest community score is 18.9.
The major reasons for the high obesity rates in Leflore County are the high poverty rates, 37.0%, and lifestyle choices. The percentage of adults with no physical activity, 40.7%, and the smoking rate, 24.9%, are both high and significantly contribute to obesity. The county also lacks grocery stores that help residents find fresh food and maintain a balanced diet.
Thurston County, Nebraska
Thurston County, Nebraska, has a high obesity rate of 49.2%, and its overall healthiest community score is 53.
The major reasons for Obesity in Thurston County are unhealthy dietary habits, such as high consumption of fast food and sugary beverages, and a sedentary lifestyle. While the dependence on Soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages in the rest of the U.S. is 0.38, it is 51.27 in Thurston County. Apart from this, 30.6% of adults reported no physical activity. The lack of accessibility to parks, which help people have an active lifestyle, further contributes to the obesity problem.
Randolph County, Georgia
Randolph County, Georgia, has a high obesity rate, 48.9%, and the overall healthiest community score is 16.3.
Multiple factors like socio-economic challenges, cultural aspects, and limited access to health care influence the high obesity rates in Randolph County. The poverty rate in Randolph County is 28.1%, and there are only 0.47 primary care doctors available per 1000 people, making it hard for residents to receive care for obesity-related conditions, like Diabetes, which affects about 18.9% of the population. Cultural aspects like the diet also contribute to obesity, as Southern-style diets are often characterized by fried foods, processed meats, and sweetened beverages.