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Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

Is Nevada’s adult obesity rate lower than the national average?

Kate Reynolds, The Nevada Independent
yes

Nevada’s adult obesity rate is lower than the national average. 

In 2024, 34.2% of Nevada adults were obese, meaning their body mass index was 30 or higher, according to the organization Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), which analyzed state-level data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s lower than the 40.3% nationwide adult obesity rate for 2021-2023, the most recent period for which national data is available. 

The TFAH report said one contributor to obesity is ultra-processed foods, including packaged bread, soda and pizza. These foods have added sugars or preservatives and are associated with lower nutritional quality and higher caloric intake. 

The federal government issued new guidance in January 2026 calling on Americans to reduce their consumption of ultra-processed foods. More than half of calories consumed in the U.S. are from ultra-processed foods, according to a 2025 study cited by TFAH.

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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