America’s 100 most obese cities revealed — and the top 10 have something in common

Alex Mitchell
·2 min read
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The American cities that most struggle with obesity are all in the South, a new report shows.
The American cities that most struggle with obesity are all in the South, a new report shows.

A new report has determined that America’s 10 most overweight cities are bottom-heavy — located entirely in the South, that is.

Researchers from WalletHub analyzed obesity statistics from all over the country — 42% of Americans struggle with their weight — along with additional factors like health consciousness and diet to create the findings, which determined the country’s 100 most obese locales.

McAllen, a small city on the southern tip of Texas near Mexico, was ranked the most obese in the U.S., followed by Jackson, Mississippi; Shreveport, Louisiana; Mobile, Alabama; and Little Rock, Arkansas, rounding out the top five.

The American cities that most struggle with obesity are all in the South, a new report shows. NY Post illustration
The American cities that most struggle with obesity are all in the South, a new report shows. NY Post illustration

The first entries on the list from the Northeast were Scranton, Pennsylvania, at 44; Providence, Rhode Island, at 47; and Hartford, Connecticut, at 56.

New York City, meanwhile wound up in the latter half of the rundown, coming in at 88.

In the New England states, New Haven in Connecticut landed at 68, while Springfield, Massachusets, and Portland, Maine, were 73 and 75, respectively. Bridgeport, Connecticut, ranked 80th with Worcester, Massachusetts, following close by at 86.

McAllen, Texas, was ranked America’s most obese city. JACoulter – stock.adobe.com
McAllen, Texas, was ranked America’s most obese city. JACoulter – stock.adobe.com

As for major cities nationwide, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was 13; New Orleans, Louisiana, 17; Dallas, Texas, 25; Detroit, Michigan, 34; Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio, 42 and 46, respectively; and Charlotte, North Carolina, closed out the top 50.

Major metros that dotted the list’s latter half include Las Vegas, Nevada, at 57; Baltimore, Maryland 63; Los Angeles, 74; Washington, D.C., 82; Chicago, 84; and Boston, 98;

As far as dieting and exercise are concerned, residents may not be as heedless in Seattle: the Pacific Northwest outpost eked out the last-place finish at 100.

Shreveport, Louisiana, was listed as one of the nation’s most obese cities. SeanPavonePhoto – stock.adobe.com
Shreveport, Louisiana, was listed as one of the nation’s most obese cities. SeanPavonePhoto – stock.adobe.com

The 10 most overweight U.S. cities

  • McAllen, Texas

  • Jackson, Mississippi

  • Shreveport, Louisiana

  • Mobile, Alabama

  • Little Rock, Arkansas

  • Knoxville, Tennessee

  • Memphis, Tennessee

  • Lafayette, Louisiana

  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Chattanooga, Tennessee

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