These Are the 10 Fattest Cities in America, According to a New Study
We’ve all heard the stereotypes about Americans and their eating habits, but unfortunately, the stats back it up. Nearly 42% of U.S. adults are obese, and it’s costing billions each year in medical care and lost productivity. While fast food and ultra-processed snacks are practically everywhere, some parts of the country are struggling more than others when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.
To figure out where the problem is worst, WalletHub analyzed 100 of the most populated U.S. metro areas using 19 different metrics—everything from obesity rates and high blood pressure to how easy it is to find healthy food or safe places to exercise. The study grouped these indicators into three main categories: Obesity & Overweight, Health Consequences, and Food & Fitness, giving each city an overall score to determine where waistlines (and health risks) are growing fastest.
Here are the 10 most overweight cities in America, counting down to the one that topped the list.
10. Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham isn’t just dealing with high obesity rates—it also ranks among the worst in the nation for healthy food and fitness access. Despite having a rich culinary culture, the lack of affordable healthy options has taken a toll on the community’s waistlines and health outcomes.
9. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville may have a college-town charm, but it also ranked 4th overall for obesity and overweight issues. Combine that with limited access to recreational opportunities and a fast-food-heavy food scene, and you’ve got a city fighting an uphill battle.
8. Lafayette, Louisiana
This Cajun city is known for its incredible food—unfortunately, it’s not always the healthiest. Lafayette ranked 9th for obesity and 12th for weight-related health consequences. While the flavors are hard to resist, they’re clearly coming at a cost.
7. Augusta, Georgia
Augusta isn’t just home to The Masters golf tournament—it’s also dealing with a serious health crisis. The city placed in the top 10 for both obesity and limited food/fitness access, signaling a need for more investment in wellness resources.
6. Shreveport, Louisiana
Another Louisiana city in the top 10, Shreveport struggles with both high obesity rates and poor health outcomes. It ranked 3rd in the nation for obesity-related health consequences, making it one of the most medically impacted cities on this list.
5. Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville ranked #1 for health consequences like diabetes and high blood pressure—despite not being in the top 20 for obesity itself. That means residents here are experiencing some of the most severe impacts of poor diet and inactivity in the country.
4. Mobile, Alabama
Mobile has one of the highest inactivity rates in the U.S., which likely plays into its #2 ranking for health issues. The warm weather might scream “outdoor fun,” but many residents don’t have the infrastructure or access to make exercise part of daily life.
3. Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson ranks #1 for overall obesity, with nearly 37% of adults considered obese—and that doesn’t even include those who are simply overweight. But it’s not just the adults. Jackson also reports high obesity rates among children and teenagers, showing the problem spans generations.
The city also has the second-highest percentage of adults who’ve had a stroke and nearly 37% with high blood pressure. A major contributor? Lack of physical activity. Jackson has the second-highest share of physically inactive adults, and many residents don’t have convenient access to fresh, healthy food options.
2. Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock lands near the top thanks to a combination of high obesity, poor diet, and limited access to health resources. Nearly 23% of children in Little Rock are obese, with another 17% considered overweight but not obese. Teenage obesity is also alarmingly high.
These weight struggles show up in residents’ health: Little Rock has the fourth-highest percentage of adults with high blood pressure and the fifth-highest rate of heart disease. The city also ranks second-lowest for health educators per capita—and it’s projected to have the second-highest obesity rate by 2030, so this problem likely isn’t going away anytime soon.
1. McAllen, Texas
Taking the top spot is McAllen, Texas—the most overweight city in America for 2025. About 45% of adults here are obese, with another 31% considered overweight. The city also has the second-highest rate of obese teenagers and ranks fifth for obese children.
McAllen’s health consequences are just as severe: the city has the eighth-highest rate of diabetes and the fourth-highest rate of heart disease. And when it comes to fitness? McAllen also has the highest percentage of physically inactive adults in the country.
But part of that may come down to access—McAllen ranks second-lowest for park and recreation access, meaning even if residents want to get more active, there may not be safe or convenient places to do so.
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