Louisiana Obesity Numbers Put Shreveport-Bossier on Alert

Louisiana just landed in a spot nobody wants. A new NiceRx “US Health Report” ranks Louisiana as the most unhealthy state in the country, giving it a health score of 2.54 out of 10. The report weighs several factors, but obesity and inactivity are doing most of the damage.

What the Report Says about Louisiana Obesity

NiceRx puts Louisiana’s adult obesity rate at 39.9%, with obesity rising about 20.5% over the last decade. The report also lists Louisiana with 30.8% physical inactivity, which places the state among the worst in the nation for residents who are not getting regular movement outside of work.

For a Shreveport-Bossier family reading those numbers, the headline is simple: obesity is not some far-off trend. It is a here-and-now reality that shows up in everyday life, from diabetes risk to heart health and joint problems, even if a person feels “fine” today.

READ MORE: Local Lifeguard Training Programs Gearing Up

One detail that jumps out is the tension in the data. Louisiana is shown as having 11 fitness facilities per 100,000 people, yet inactivity remains high. In other words, access alone is not fixing the problem. Work schedules, transportation, food costs, and plain exhaustion all play a role in whether people actually use what is available.

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The report also tracks interest in medical help, noting Louisiana has 9,239 weight loss medication related searches per 100,000 people. That is a sign plenty of residents are looking for solutions, even if the path forward is not always clear.

How Louisiana Compares to Other “Unhealthy” States

NiceRx lists Nevada and Alabama right behind Louisiana on the “most unhealthy” list. Nevada’s obesity rate is lower than Louisiana’s, but it struggles with alcohol consumption and inactivity. Alabama sits close to Louisiana on obesity and inactivity. The common thread across the bottom of the rankings is not one single issue. It is a stack of issues that compound over time.