McAllen ranks highest out of 100 most overweight cities in US

As per statistics, 42% of Americans struggle with obesity

By Web Desk
March 16, 2024
A representational image of an overweight man. — Unsplash
A representational image of an overweight man. — Unsplash

McAllen, a small city bordering Mexico in Texas, has been proclaimed as the most overweight city in the United States (US), New York Post reported. 

As per statistics analysed by Researchers from WalletHub, 42% of Americans struggle with obesity.

They found that along with weight, most Americans struggle with body dysmorphia as well.

The findings were calculated based on three factors, overweight and obesity, health consequences, and food and fitness.

It was found that nearly half of the adults in McAllen were obese and had health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Major cities such as New York came in at 88, Pennsylvania at 44, Las Vegas at 57, Los Angeles, 74; Washington, DC, 82; Chicago, 84; and Boston, 98.

Seattle came in last at 100.

Furthermore, out of all the states, southern states Louisiana and Mississippi ranked the highest in terms of prescribing weight loss pills.

Lead researcher Cassandra Happe, in a statement said: "Obesity is becoming more and more prevalent in the US, 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."

The top 10 most overweight cities in the US are:  

  1. McAllen, Texas
  2. Jackson, Mississippi
  3. Shreveport, Louisiana
  4. Mobile, Alabama
  5. Little Rock, Arkansas
  6. Knoxville, Tennessee
  7. Memphis, Tennessee
  8. Lafayette, Louisiana
  9. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  10. Chattanooga, Tennessee