Lafayette, Louisiana

The smallest city on the list is Lafayette, Louisiana, which has a population of about 126,000. However, more than 28%, or 35,000, of those 126,000 residents are obese. In a small city where targeted interventions have the potential to make a significant effect, it is somewhat surprising that this rate has remained stable in recent years.

Lack of exercise and easy access to fat foods are the two biggest problems that Lafayette residents face. There isn't much recreation infrastructure in the city to facilitate citizens' walking or bicycling. At the same time, Lafayette is renowned for its high, frequently deep-fried, and calorie-dense Southern food.