Obesity rates across the US are climbing to record levels, and a new nationwide ranking shows exactly where the crisis is hitting hardest. The report, compiled by WalletHub using 31 public health and lifestyle indicators, identifies states where limited access to healthy food, low physical activity, and economic hardship are combining to fuel some of the highest obesity and chronic disease rates in the country — costing billions in healthcare and reshaping workforce health and life expectancy.Most to least overweight and obese states in the USRankStateStatus1West VirginiaMost overweight & obese2MississippiVery high rates3ArkansasVery high rates4KentuckyHigh obesity burden5AlabamaHigh obesity burden6TennesseeElevated obesity & inactivity7LouisianaHigh obesity and diabetes rates8OklahomaHigh inactivity, limited food access9South CarolinaHigh obesity among adults and children10IndianaHigh chronic disease rates11Missouri12Ohio13North Dakota14Michigan15Texas16Georgia17Kansas18Iowa19Nebraska20Wisconsin21North Carolina22Illinois23Pennsylvania24New Mexico25Delaware26Arizona27Florida28Nevada29Idaho30Wyoming31Maryland32Virginia33Montana34South Dakota35Rhode Island36Connecticut37New York38New Jersey39Washington40Minnesota41Oregon42California43Massachusetts44New Hampshire45Vermont46Utah47Hawaii48District of Columbia (D.C.)49ColoradoLeast overweight & obeseWhat’s driving the divideSeveral contributing factors influence why some states experience higher rates:Limited access to fresh and affordable foodsHigh sugary drink consumptionConsumption of ultra-processed food Low levels of regular physical activityFewer fitness centers and green recreational spacesEconomic and healthcare disparitiesFor example, West Virginia — which ranks first — has high rates of sugary beverage intake among teens, lower availability of fitness facilities, and significantly elevated rates of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.The cost of the obesity crisisObesity-related health conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and joint complications cost the US an estimated $173 billion per year. States with the highest obesity rates also experience:Increased medical spendingHigher workplace absenteeismLower reported levels of daily energy and wellnessExperts also note that the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications reflects both progress in medical treatment and deepening reliance on pharmaceutical solutions.Health professionals emphasise that individual effort works best when supported by community environments. Effective approaches include:Increasing access to affordable nutritious foodsEncouraging physical activity in schools and public spacesReducing sugary beverage consumptionPromoting preventive healthcare and nutrition education