LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Arkansas has one of the highest obesity rates in the United States, and a new survey by the University of Arkansas shows us exactly where the highest levels of obesity are in the state.
The University of Arkansas conducted its largest research survey ever, sending invitations to 70,000 adult Arkansans in November of 2024, and receiving 10,000 responses from Arkansans from all 75 counties. What researchers found is that 45% of adults in rural Arkansas are obese.
According to Michael Niño, the survey’s lead researcher, Arkansas has 823 census tracts, which are geographic areas containing a few thousand residents. Of these 823, 159 tracts had obesity rates of 45% or higher. 99 of those are in rural areas…