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US state profile

Obesity in Tennessee

37.9% of adults in Tennessee reported a height and weight in the obesity range in 2025 — the 5th highest of 48 states (including DC).

37.9%

of adults with obesity (2025)

95% CI 36.1%–39.7%

Source: CDC BRFSS

29.2%

in 2011, when this series starts

Source: CDC BRFSS

33.5%

for the US as a whole in the same survey (2025)

Source: CDC BRFSS

Trend

Tennessee vs the whole US, 2011–2025

What this meansTennessee went from 29.2% in 2011 to 37.9% in 2025.

0%10%20%30%40%50%20122014201620182020202220242025Tennessee 37.9%US overall 33.5%
  • Tennessee
  • US overall

Self-reported height and weight. This CDC dataset starts in 2011.

Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), via Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity data portal.

Who is most affected in Tennessee? (2025)

By sex

What this meansEach bar shows the share of adults in that group with obesity.

  1. Male36.3%
  2. Female39.5%

Hover a bar for the 95% confidence interval. Small groups have wide intervals.

By age

What this meansEach bar shows the share of adults in that group with obesity.

  1. 18 - 2425.8%
  2. 25 - 3441.1%
  3. 35 - 4444.8%
  4. 45 - 5447.2%
  5. 55 - 6439.9%
  6. 65 or older29.8%

Hover a bar for the 95% confidence interval. Small groups have wide intervals.

By race/ethnicity

What this meansEach bar shows the share of adults in that group with obesity.

  1. Non-Hispanic White37.0%
  2. Non-Hispanic Black45.1%
  3. Hispanic39.5%
  4. Non-Hispanic Asian17.3%
  5. Non-Hispanic 2 or more races38.6%

Hover a bar for the 95% confidence interval. Small groups have wide intervals.

By education

What this meansEach bar shows the share of adults in that group with obesity.

  1. Less than high school44.9%
  2. High school graduate38.6%
  3. Some college or technical school42.4%
  4. College graduate29.8%

Hover a bar for the 95% confidence interval. Small groups have wide intervals.

By income

What this meansEach bar shows the share of adults in that group with obesity.

  1. Less than $15,00037.3%
  2. $15,000 - $24,99944.9%
  3. $25,000 - $34,99943.1%
  4. $35,000 - $49,99934.9%
  5. $50,000 - $74,99939.5%
  6. $75,000 or greater43.0%
  7. Data not reported34.5%

Hover a bar for the 95% confidence interval. Small groups have wide intervals.

States ranked nearby

  1. 2. North Dakota39.1%
  2. 3. Kentucky38.8%
  3. 4. Oklahoma38.1%
  4. 5. Tennessee37.9%
  5. 6. Indiana37.5%
  6. 7. West Virginia37.4%
  7. 8. Kansas37.3%
All statesUS measured trend

Last updated