State-level prevalence of chronic conditions co-occurring with obesity among US adults

Recent estimates of chronic conditions (CCs) among adults with obesity are lacking. This study analysed state-representative data to assess the prevalence of CCs that co-occur with obesity.

We used 2021-2022 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System data to assess the age-standardised prevalence of nine CCs among adults with obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m²) based on self-reported weight and height. We examined prevalence overall and by key sociodemographic factors, obesity class, and states and territories, using t-tests for subgroup comparisons.

The most prevalent CCs with obesity were hypertension (42.2%), high cholesterol (37.4%), arthritis (30.2%), and depression (26.4%), followed by diabetes (16.7%), asthma (13.4%), heart disease/stroke (9.2%), cancer (6.9%), and kidney disease (3.9%). Prevalence generally increased with age except for depression and asthma, which were lower among those 65 and older compared to those aged 18-44 (p < 0.001). There was an inverse relationship between CCs prevalence and household income. Significant differences were observed across sex, race/ethnicity, education, employment status, healthcare access, and obesity class. Across states and territories, hypertension was the most prevalent CC, ranging from 31.8% in the Virgin Islands (VI) to 51.6% in Alabama, followed by high cholesterol (28.1% in VI to 44.9% in Guam). Other CCs also showed significant variation by state and territory.

Among US adults with obesity, the age-standardised prevalence of CCs varies significantly across population subgroups and states. Awareness of these differences can help clinicians, public health officials, and decision-makers address chronic disease prevention and obesity management for populations at higher risk.