Obesity Rates in America

In the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in the obesity rates in America. In only 20 states overall, there was less than a 25% rate, out of total populations. (Over a 30 BMI number indicates obesity)

-Colorado stands alone in less than 20% of their population being obese.

-There are currently 3 states in America with an obesity rate at or above 30% of their total population.

-As recently as 2004, there was not a single state in the union with a rate higher than 29%.

-In 2000, and as far back as 1996, the obesity rates in America reached no more than 24% and 19% respectively. And, if we go all the way back to 1990, 14% was the highest obesity rate of any state, at that time .

-This clearly indicates, as the obesity charts below, just how prevalent overeating and obesity has become in America today.

All Beef Frankie - A Story of Childhood Obesity

-Continue down the page for adult obesity Bmi chart, as well as child obesity Bmi chart, showing obesity Bmi numbers for both.

Table of Obesity Rates in America

State	Overweight - Obese	Obese, most recent CDC	Obesity, last 3 years Avg.	% normal wt. or less
Alabama	67 %	31 %	30 %	33 %
Alaska	65 %	28 %	27 %	35 %
Arizona	63 %	26 %	23 %	37 %
Arkansas	66 %	29 %	28 %	34 %
California	59 %	23 %	23 %	41 %
Colorado	56 %	19 %	18 %	44 %
Connecticut	59 %	22 %	21 %	41 %
Delaware	65 %	28 %	26 %	35 %
District of Columbia	55 %	22 %	22 %	45 %
Florida	62 %	24 %	23 %	38 %
Georgia	65 %	29 %	27 %	35 %
Hawaii	57 %	22 %	21 %	43 %
Idaho	63 %	25 %	25 %	37 %
Illinois	63 %	26 %	25 %	37 %
Indiana	63 %	27 %	27 %	37 %
Iowa	65 %	28 %	26 %	35 %
Kansas	64 %	28 %	26 %	36 %
Kentucky	69 %	29 %	28 %	31 %
Louisiana	65 %	31 %	29 %	35 %
Maine	63 %	25 %	24 %	37 %
Maryland	63 %	26 %	25 %	37 %
Massachusetts	59 %	22 %	21 %	41 %
Michigan	64 %	28 %	28 %	36 %
Minnesota	62 %	26 %	25 %	38 %
Mississippi	68 %	33 %	32 %	32 %
Missouri	63 %	28 %	27 %	37 %
State	Overweight - Obese	Obese, most recent CDC	Obesity, last 3 years Avg.	% normal wt. or less
Montana	62 %	23 %	22 %	38 %
Nebraska	65 %	26 %	26 %	35 %
Nevada	63 %	25 %	24 %	37 %
New Hampshire	62 %	25 %	23 %	38 %
New Jersey	62 %	24 %	23 %	38 %
New Mexico	61 %	25 %	23 %	39 %
New York	62 %	25 %	23 %	38 %
North Carolina	65 %	29 %	27 %	35 %
North Dakota	65 %	27 %	26 %	35 %
Ohio	63 %	28 %	27 %	37 %
Oklahoma	65 %	29 %	28 %	35 %
Oregon	62 %	26 %	25 %	38 %
Pennsylvania	63 %	28 %	26 %	37 %
Rhode Island	61 %	22 %	21 %	39 %
South Carolina	65 %	29 %	29 %	35 %
South Dakota	65 %	27 %	26 %	35 %
Tennessee	67 %	31 %	29 %	33 %
Texas	66 %	29 %	27 %	34 %
Utah	58 %	22 %	22 %	42 %
Vermont	59 %	22 %	21 %	41 %
Virginia	63 %	26 %	25 %	37 %
Washington	62 %	26 %	24 %	38 %
West Virginia	68 %	29 %	31 %	32 %
Wisconsin	62 %	25 %	25 %	38 %
Wyoming	62 %	24 %	24 %	38 %
State	Overweight - Obese	Obese, most recent CDC	Obesity, last 3 years Avg.	% normal wt. or less

You can see from the obesity rates above, 55 - 68% of people in the US are either obese or overweight. Obesity rates are a definite problem!

-It's time for all of us to change our eating and exercise habits!

There are various methods to determine obesity. The Bmi chart below uses a person's height and weight to estimate overweight- obesity.

-standard Bmi chart -back to top

Body Mass Index Chart

(for adult obesity over 30 bmi)

-To Find Your Bmi: Find your height in the left column, then follow across to your current weight, then go down to your Bmi. -Obesity rates start with a Bmi of 30. * Bold Bmi chart weight values, corresponding to bold weight ranges .

-Height	- Weight (lbs.)

BMI #	19	24	*25	*29	30	32	34	36	38	39	*40	*45
4' 10"	91	115	119	138	143	153	162	172	181	186	191	215
4' 11"	94	119	124	143	148	158	168	178	188	193	198	222
5'	97	123	128	148	153	163	174	184	194	199	204	230
5' 1"	100	127	132	153	158	169	180	190	201	206	211	238
5' 2"	104	131	136	158	164	175	186	196	207	213	218	246
5' 3"	107	135	141	163	169	180	191	203	214	220	225	254
5' 4"	110	140	145	169	174	186	197	209	221	227	232	262
5' 5"	114	144	150	174	180	192	204	216	228	234	240	270
5' 6"	118	148	155	179	186	198	210	223	235	241	247	278
5' 7"	121	153	159	185	191	204	217	230	242	249	255	287
5' 8"	125	158	164	190	197	210	223	236	249	256	262	295
5' 9"	128	162	169	196	203	216	230	243	257	263	270	304
5' 10"	132	167	174	202	209	222	236	250	264	271	278	313
5' 11"	136	172	179	208	215	229	243	257	272	279	286	322
6'	140	177	184	213	221	235	250	265	279	287	294	331
6' 1"	144	182	189	219	227	242	257	272	288	295	302	340
6' 2"	148	186	194	225	233	249	264	280	295	303	311	350
6' 3"	152	192	200	232	240	256	272	287	303	311	319	359
6' 4"	156	197	205	238	246	263	279	295	312	320	328	369

Normal

*Overweight

Obesity Range

*Ex-Obese

-After Finding Your Bmi #, If It's High - Set Your Goal : Start at the bottom of the Bmi Chart, at a Bmi value 1 to the left of your Bmi chart #, go up until you find your height row, this number will be your goal weight.

Once you've reached that weight, go to the next weight to the left, now you have a new goal.

-One step at a time, one pound at a time, we can all slow obesity rates!

See Chart for Calories Burned

-If obesity rates in America continue to climb, we have to ask ourselves why this is happening. Americans exercise less and eat more than ever.

We also eat outside the home much more often; resulting in a much higher calorie and fat content in the food that we do eat.

Even more disturbing is the fact that 30% of our children are obese.

Obesity rates in children have tripled since the early 80's!

One study has shown that 80% of those children, ages 10 -15 who are obese, will eventually become obese adults .

-Use the Bmi chart below to determine if your child is overweight-obese, and if further steps need to be taken.

Body Mass Index Chart

(child obesity over 30 bmi)

-To Find Bmi #: Find your child's height in the left column, follow it across to their current weight, then down to the bottom row, for the Bmi chart #

(Bold Bmi chart weight values correspond to bold weight ranges on bottom)

-Height	- Weight (lbs.)

BMI #	19	21	23	24	*25	*27	*29	30	32	35	37	39	*40
40 "	43	48	52	55	57	61	66	68	73	80	84	89	91
41 "	45	50	55	57	60	65	69	72	77	84	88	93	96
42 "	48	53	58	60	63	68	73	75	80	88	93	98	100
43"	50	55	60	63	66	71	76	79	84	92	97	103	105
44 "	52	58	63	66	69	74	80	83	88	96	102	107	110
45 "	55	60	66	69	72	78	84	86	92	101	107	112	115
46"	57	63	69	72	75	81	87	90	96	105	111	117	120
47 "	60	66	72	75	79	85	91	94	101	110	116	123	126
48 "	62	69	75	79	82	88	95	98	105	115	121	128	131
49 "	65	72	79	82	85	92	99	102	109	120	126	133	137
50 "	68	75	82	85	89	96	103	107	114	124	132	139	142
51 "	70	78	85	89	92	100	107	111	118	129	137	144	148
52 "	73	81	88	92	96	104	112	115	123	135	142	150	154
53 "	76	84	92	96	100	108	116	120	128	140	148	156	160
54 "	79	87	95	100	104	112	120	124	133	145	153	162	166
55 "	82	90	99	103	108	116	125	129	138	151	159	168	172
56 "	85	94	103	107	112	120	129	134	143	156	165	174	178
57 "	88	97	106	111	116	125	134	139	148	162	171	180	185
58 "	91	100	110	115	120	129	139	144	153	167	177	187	191
59 "	94	104	114	119	124	134	144	149	158	173	183	193	198
60 "	97	108	118	123	128	138	149	154	164	179	189	200	205