Obesity Trends in the U.S. [1985 - 2006]*

The map below displays obesity trends in the United States, as recorded by the Centers for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States.

Only a few states participated in the survey in 1985. In 1991, four states had obesity prevalence rates of 15-19 percent, and no states had rates at or above 20 percent. By 2006, only 4 states had obesity prevalence rates less than 20 percent, while 22 states had prevalence rates equal to or greater than 25 percent, with 2 of those having prevalences equal to or greater than 30 percent.