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West Virginia is one of two states nationwide to show a significant drop in adult obesity rates between 2024 and 2025, according to data from the State of Obesity report by the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health (TFAH).
The annual report released this month finds West Virginia went from an adult obesity rate of 41.4% in 2024 to 37.4% last year – still high, but lower than it’s been since 2015.
Louisiana went from 39.2% in 2024 to 35.6% in 2025.
The report pinpoints a recent national emphasis on healthy eating and increased use of GLP-1 medications as part of the reason for the drop.
In contrast, the report also finds fewer people have access to nutrition support or healthy, affordable meals and that federal programs meant to prevent chronic diseases like obesity have weakened due to cuts.
“These data are encouraging, but we cannot afford to lose momentum. Our goal remains ensuring every person has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible,” TFAH President and CEO Nadine Gracia said. “Eliminating proven obesity prevention programs and reducing food security for millions of people put the health and economic well-being of Americans at risk.”
The report also found considerable differences in the adult obesity rates between states, with a low of 25.7% in Colorado, 26.4% in Hawaii and 24.2% in the District of Columbia to a high of 39.7% in Alabama, 39.1% in North Dakota, and 38.8% in Kentucky.