Asthma and Obesity

Territories

U.S. Total: People with Asthma who are Obese: 38.8%. People without Asthma who are Obese: 26.8%. (U.S. Total includes 50 states plus DC and excludes Puerto Rico and the two territories)

Data Table

Data table showing data for the United States Map figure.
LocationSort by Location in descending order	With Asthma & ObeseSort by With Asthma & Obese in descending order	Without Asthma & ObeseSort by Without Asthma & Obese in descending order
Alabama	46.3%	31.9%
Alaska	35.3%	24%
Arizona	35.7%	23.8%
Arkansas	48.7%	29.3%
California	38.4%	23.5%
Colorado	30.2%	20.5%
Connecticut	34.2%	22%
Delaware	44.7%	26.9%
District Of Columbia	33.4%	21.1%
Florida	36.2%	26.4%
Georgia	46.3%	29%
Hawaii	37.5%	21.5%
Idaho	37.7%	25.7%
Illinois	42.8%	27.3%
Indiana	38.9%	29.3%
Iowa	39.5%	28.3%
Kansas	33%	29.8%
Kentucky	38.9%	31.1%
Louisiana	43.6%	30.9%
Maine	37.3%	26.1%
Maryland	35.1%	27.2%
Massachusetts	31.5%	22.7%
Michigan	42.6%	30.5%
Minnesota	32.9%	24.7%
Mississippi	47.3%	33.3%
Missouri	45%	29.9%
Montana	33.7%	22.5%
Nebraska	37.2%	26.7%
Nevada	34%	21.9%
New Hampshire	30.9%	24.6%
New Jersey	34.5%	23.9%
New Mexico	34.8%	24.6%
New York	34%	23.3%
North Carolina	38.9%	27.7%
North Dakota	29.7%	27.5%
Ohio	40.2%	28.6%
Oklahoma	41.3%	30.2%
Oregon	36.9%	26.5%
Pennsylvania	38.2%	28.2%
Rhode Island	36.6%	24.8%
South Carolina	43.4%	30.9%
South Dakota	35.8%	27%
Tennessee	40.8%	31.1%
Texas	42.3%	30.8%
Utah	34%	22%
Vermont	34.5%	22.7%
Virginia	47.4%	24.6%
Washington	36.5%	25.1%
West Virginia	40.8%	32.3%
Wisconsin	43.6%	25.4%
Wyoming	36.4%	24.6%
Guam	57.6%	26.2%
Puerto Rico	39.6%	26.4%
U.S. Virgin Islands	45.6%	28.9%

Download Data (CSV)

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of asthma

Obesity is associated significantly with the development of asthma, worsening asthma symptoms, and poor asthma control. This leads to increase medication use and hospitalizations. In 2010, the obesity rate among adults with current asthma (38.8%) was significantly higher than the rate among adults without current asthma (26.8%).

Percentage of adults who are obese

Obesity rates differ from state to state. The rate among adults with current asthma was significantly higher than the rate among adults without current asthma in almost all states (except AL, AR, DE, KS, MN, ND, NE, and NY), Puerto Rico, and the two territories. The highest obesity rates are clustered in the Midwest and South.

CDC’s National Asthma Control Program (NACP) was created in 1999 to help the millions of people with asthma in the United States gain control over their disease. The NACP conducts national asthma surveillance and funds states to help them improve their asthma surveillance and to focus efforts and resources where they are needed.

^*Includes persons who answered “yes” to the questions: “Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had asthma?” and “Do you still have asthma?”

^†Obesity status is determined by Body Mass Index (BMI in kilograms per meter squared) which is calculated by dividing respondent’s weight by their height.

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2010

Download the AsthmaStats Factsheet [PDF – 211 KB] containing additional information.

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