Map Shows Most Overweight Cities in America

A recent study ranked the 100 most populated U.S. metro areas.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:26pm

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A recent report from personal-finance website WalletHub has ranked the most obese cities in the U.S., with Little Rock, Arkansas topping the list. The report found that nearly 42% of Americans are classified as obese, leading to significant health and economic costs.

Why it matters

As noted by WalletHub, the extra pounds have inflated the costs of obesity-related medical treatment to approximately $190.2 billion a year and annual productivity losses due to work absenteeism to around $4.3 billion.

The details

WalletHub said Little Rock, Arkansas, ranks as the most overweight U.S. city, with particularly high rates among young people. Nearly 23% of children ages 10 to 17 are obese, with an additional 18% classified as overweight. The city's weight issues are reflected in adult health outcomes, including the fourth‑highest rate of high blood pressure and the fifth‑highest rate of heart disease. WalletHub attributed the trend in part to a low number of health educators per capita and limited access to healthy food options, noting that Little Rock is projected to have the second‑highest obesity rate in the country by 2050. McAllen, Texas ranked second overall, driven by the largest percentage of obese adults at 45% and an additional 31% overweight but not obese. Memphis placed third overall, with high obesity rates among children, teenagers and adults, including about 36% of adults obese.

  • The report was recently published on March 16, 2026.

The players

WalletHub

A personal-finance website that conducted the study ranking the most obese cities in the U.S.

Chip Lupo

A WalletHub analyst who commented on the report.

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What they’re saying

“Obesity is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.S., and it's costing us big time. In the most overweight and obese cities, residents often lack easy access to healthy food and recreation opportunities, so investing in those areas should help improve people's diets and exercise regimens, and reduce the financial burden overall.”

— Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

What’s next

WalletHub releases new studies and rankings regularly.

The takeaway

This report highlights the significant health and economic costs of obesity in the U.S., with some of the most overweight cities lacking access to healthy food and recreational opportunities. Addressing these issues could help improve public health and reduce the financial burden of obesity-related medical treatment and lost productivity.