The Friday File: Obesity rates (BMI above 29) in the US vary from a low of 21% in CO to a high of 34% in MS. The South has the highest prevalence of obesity (29.4%) followed by the Midwest (28.7%), Northeast (24.9%) and West (24.1%). Among men, obesity and education are, unfortunately, not related, but women with college degrees are less likely to be obese than less educated women.