• Original Reporting
  • References

The Trust Project

Original Reporting This article contains firsthand information gathered by reporters. This includes directly interviewing sources and analyzing primary source documents.
References This article includes a list of source material, including documents and people, so you can follow the story further.
An illustration of a stethoscope
(Provided by Gigafact)

Yes.

Around 24.9% of adults in Colorado are obese, the second-lowest rate in the U.S., according 2021-2023 data. Only Washington, D.C., had a lower obesity rate, at 23.5%. 

Obesity is defined as a body mass index above 30 while severe obesity is a BMI over 40. Prior to 2013 no state had an obesity rate of 35% or higher. By 2023, 23 states fell into that category, while severe obesity rose to 9.7% from 7.7% during that period. More than 2 in 5 adults in the U.S. are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Obesity disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic communities, national studies show. A 2018 study identified a range of factors contributing to that trend, including low household income, the high cost of maintaining a healthy diet, lack of access to recreational resources, stress, genetics and discrimination. 

See full source list below.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

The Colorado Sun partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

References:

Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sept. 12, 2024. Source link.

Adult Obesity Facts, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 14, 2024. Source link.

New CDC Data Show Adult Obesity Prevalence Remains High, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sept. 12, 2024. Source link.

Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023, National Center for Health Statistics, September 2024. Source link.

Racial Disparities in Obesity Treatment, National Library of Medicine, July 31, 2018. Source link.

Type of Story: Fact-Check

Checks a specific statement or set of statements asserted as fact.

Por recently graduated from CU Boulder with a master’s degree in journalism and is interested in writing about the environment and exploring local stories. When not working on some form of writing, Por is either looking for Thai food or petting...