New Data Highlights Obesity Disparities in Hawaii

Hawaii has been recognized as one of the healthiest states in the United States, yet recent data reveals significant disparities in obesity rates and related health issues among different demographics. The report titled The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America 2025, published by the nonprofit organization Trust for America’s Health, indicates that 27% of adults in Hawaii were classified as obese in 2024, one of the lowest rates in the nation. However, when considering those who are overweight or obese, the figure rises to 60%, placing Hawaii 49th in the country, alongside the District of Columbia.

While Hawaii’s overall obesity rates are below the national averages, the report uncovers troubling variations among age, gender, and racial groups. Obesity rates among women reached nearly 38%, compared to 33% for men. Among racial categories, Asian adults exhibited the lowest obesity rate at 18.7%, while Black and Latino adults reported rates of 34.9% and 33.5%, respectively.

Health complications related to obesity are prevalent in the state. Approximately 11.6% of adults in Hawaii are living with diabetes, and nearly one in three have hypertension. Furthermore, around 21% of adults are classified as physically inactive, indicating that activity levels are average relative to national standards.

Childhood Health Metrics and Social Conditions

The report also sheds light on childhood and adolescent health, which presents mixed results. In 2023, about 18.5% of children aged 6 to 17 were classified as obese, while only 15.9% met the federal guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Among high school students, 14.7% were obese, and 15.1% were overweight, both figures lower than national averages. Nonetheless, fewer than one in four teenagers reported exercising daily.

The data illustrate a connection between obesity and broader social conditions. Approximately 8% of Hawaii residents and 13% of children live below the federal poverty line, both figures lower than national averages. Nevertheless, food insecurity remains a significant issue, with one in ten households struggling to afford adequate food and roughly one in five children living in food-insecure homes. Alarmingly, half of those experiencing food insecurity earn too much to qualify for federal food assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Compounding these challenges is Hawaii’s high cost of living, affecting families’ abilities to maintain healthy diets. The average cost per meal in Hawaii was reported at 4.39 USD in 2023, the highest in the nation and significantly above the U.S. average of 3.58 USD. This situation limits the extent to which families can stretch federal food benefits, even though 81% of eligible residents participate in SNAP and 61% are part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Recent federal proposals could worsen these circumstances. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, around 94,000 families in Hawaii may lose some or all of their SNAP benefits, with an average monthly reduction of 183 USD per family.

Progress in Community Health Factors

Despite these challenges, Hawaii scored relatively well in environmental and community health factors. Nearly 90% of children live in neighborhoods with sidewalks or walking paths, and 85% reside near parks or playgrounds, both figures exceeding national averages. The state’s “Complete Streets” policy, which promotes safe walking and biking infrastructure, received a moderate score of 11 out of 20.

Early childhood and school nutrition programs also show positive trends. Hawaii scored 66 out of 100 for child care licensing standards that encourage healthy eating and activity and 76 out of 100 for school lunch nutrition quality. The implementation of the SUN Bucks summer food benefit and the expansion of the federal Community Eligibility Provision to 77% of eligible districts have allowed more students to receive free meals without application processes. A legislative proposal for universal free school meals statewide is currently under consideration.

Nationally, the report highlights that 19 states had adult obesity rates at or above 35% in 2024, a decrease from 23 states the previous year, representing the first decline in this statistic for the dataset. Despite this progress, the overall obesity rate in the U.S. remains alarmingly high, with 40% of American adults classified as obese.

The findings indicate that while Hawaii’s health metrics reflect a solid foundation due to long-standing investments in public health, education, and community design, disparities in obesity rates by race, sex, and age remain concerning. The low levels of daily physical activity among youth and the potential threats to nutrition assistance highlight critical areas requiring attention and action.