Methodology

To create the list, WalletHub analyzed 19 metrics across three key dimensions for 100 of the most populated U.S. metro areas to find:

• Obesity and overweight, including the share of overweight and obese adults, the share of overweight and obese children, and projected obesity rates by 2030 (60 points)
• Health consequences, including the share of adults with high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure (25 points)
• Food and fitness, including the share of adults who are physically inactive, access to healthy food, and access to parks and recreational activities (15 points)

Each metric in the three dimensions was scored on a 100-point scale. The weighted average across all metrics was then used to calculate a city's overall score, which was then used to determine its ranking.

Data for the rankings was collected from several sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC, County Health Rankings, and more.

The most overweight and obese US cities

Based on overall score, McAllen, Texas, was the most overweight city in the United States. In comparison, Honolulu, Hawaii, was the least overweight city. 

How to address obesity in the US, according to experts

Current data shows that almost 42% of U.S. adults are obese, and this has led to significant health and financial consequences. Obesity-related medical treatments cost the United States an estimated $190.2 billion a year, and annual productivity losses due to work absenteeism cost the country around $4.3 billion.

According to health experts, employers, along with state and federal governments, can help address obesity by implementing strategies and policies that promote healthy lifestyles.

For example, Katie Holton, a provost associate professor of health studies at American University, said that employers can offer their workers healthy food and drink choices and encourage healthy behaviors like "walking meetings" or step competitions.

"A healthy work environment is really helpful, as [it] encourages healthy self-care behaviors like stress management, not overworking, getting adequate sleep, etc.," Holton said.

Separately, Kim Doughty, an assistant professor at Fairfield University's Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, said employers could offer health insurance discounts to workers who complete recommended health screenings. Organizations can also provide evidence-based programs to help employees with chronic illnesses, smoking, healthy eating, and exercise.

Doughty also noted that "[t]o combat obesity, we need to start outside of healthcare" since "[t]he environment Americans live, work, and grow up in is not designed to promote health and that is what needs to change."

Evidence-based programs can help new parents develop healthy eating habits in their children, Doughty said. State and local policies can also help ensure schools and childcare settings provide nutritious foods and ample opportunities for physical activity.

"At the federal and state levels, governments can require insurance companies to cover medications and other interventions to treat obesity and prevent its associated health problems," Doughty said.

Advisory Board's weight-related resources

For more insights into weight-related topics, check out these Advisory Board resources:

This  expert insight  outlines the five biggest questions about weight management drugs and their answers. Similarly, this  expert insight  addresses what headlines get wrong about weight management drugs and what healthcare leaders should know instead.

Radio Advisory's Rachel Woods has also covered GLP-1 drugs on the podcast, discussing the  potential future of these drugs  and how they could help — or hurt — health systems' finances. Other useful resources include this  expert insight  on the five catalysts that will impact the future of obesity care and this  research  on four key elements of comprehensive obesity care.

This  emerging idea  outlines how three health systems reinvented their weight management programs in order to provide comprehensive, high-quality obesity services. And this  research  can show you how stakeholder actions could shape three potential futures for obesity care and the strategies leaders can implement to ensure optimal outcomes.

Our weight management and obesity care  resource library can also help leaders understand the current care landscape, manage innovations, and prepare for transformations in care.