Conversations about weight and health dominate headlines, but what people believe about these issues doesn’t always match the facts. From how active their communities are to how many people use popular weight-loss medications, perceptions can paint a very different picture than reality.
To understand where those gaps exist, we surveyed thousands of Americans, asking them to estimate obesity rates, activity levels, diabetes prevalence, and GLP-1 use in their own states. We compared these perceptions to actual data to see which states have the clearest view of their health landscape, and where beliefs stray farthest from the truth.
The results reveal just how much perceptions can differ from reality when it comes to weight-related health factors.
Key Findings
Before diving into the local breakdowns, we wanted to highlight the top-level findings from our study on health factor perceptions.
- Obesity rates: Americans slightly overestimate obesity in their states, perceiving it to be about 3% higher than it actually is.
- Activity levels: People dramatically underestimate how active others are, believing far fewer adults meet exercise guidelines than the data shows.
- Diabetes prevalence: Residents think diabetes is more than twice as common as it really is, reflecting a strong overestimation nationwide.
- GLP-1 use: Perceptions of GLP-1 prescriptions are wildly inflated, with estimates nearly ten times higher than actual usage.
These findings highlight just how much public perception can diverge from real health statistics.
Now, let’s begin by looking at the perception gap in obesity rates and which states are most and least grounded in reality.
The Obesity Rate Perception Gap in the U.S.
Obesity is one of the most discussed public health issues in America, and with good reason. It’s known to be an underlying issue that can cause larger problems down the road. But how accurately do people understand it as a problem in their own backyard?
Let’s explore the perception gap in obesity rates in the U.S. and see which states are most and least grounded in reality.
Nationally, Americans slightly overestimate the issue.
- Perceived obesity rate: 43.6%
- Actual obesity rate: 40.3%
- Perception gap: 3.3%
While the national gap is modest, some states show striking differences.
States with the largest perception gaps
Residents in these states think obesity is far more prevalent than it actually is.
- Hawaii – Perceived: 51.1% | Actual: 26.1% | Gap: 25%
- Arkansas – Perceived: 55.6% | Actual: 40% | Gap: 15.6%
- Nevada – Perceived: 46.4% | Actual: 30.8% | Gap: 15.6%
Hawaii stands out the most, with residents overestimating obesity rates by nearly double. The state’s generally strong emphasis on health and wellness may heighten awareness of obesity, making even lower rates seem high.
Tourism could also play a role at the top end of our list. Hawaii sees millions of visitors each year, and constant exposure to travelers from around the world may skew perceptions of what’s typical locally. Nevada shows a similar pattern. Las Vegas, one of the most visited cities in the U.S., brings in a constant mix of tourists, which can distort how residents view their state’s health landscape.
In Arkansas, where actual obesity rates are among the highest in the country, residents still believe the problem is worse than it is, reflecting a more general negative self-perception rather than outside influence.
States with the smallest perception gaps
These states have perceptions that closely match reality.
- Oregon – Perceived: 34.3% | Actual: 33.6% | Gap: 0.7%
- Ohio – Perceived: 40.8% | Actual: 36.4% | Gap: 4.4%
- Maryland – Perceived: 38.9% | Actual: 34.1% | Gap: 4.8%
Residents in these states have a clearer understanding of local health trends. Oregon’s nearly perfect alignment between perception and reality shows strong awareness of public health, while Ohio and Maryland also keep their estimates close to actual figures. This suggests people in these areas have a more accurate sense of the issue compared to most states.
Americans tend to overestimate obesity in their states, sometimes by a wide margin. This pattern suggests perceptions may be shaped more by assumptions and media narratives than by the actual data.
Next, we’ll look at how accurately residents perceive their state’s activity levels and where the biggest disconnects occur.
The Activity Level Perception Gap in the U.S.
Staying active is one of the best ways to maintain long-term health, reducing risks for chronic conditions and improving overall well-being. But do people have an accurate sense of how active their neighbors really are?
For this part of the study, we used the following description of CDC guidelines for our activity level standards: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity OR 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity per week.
Let’s dig into the perception gap in activity levels across the U.S. and see which states underestimate their residents’ movement the most.
Nationally, Americans dramatically underestimate activity levels.
- Perceived activity rate: 32.7%
- Actual activity rate: 59.9%
- Perception gap: -27.2%
This negative gap means people think far fewer adults are active than data shows, and in some states, the disconnect is even greater.
States with the largest perception gaps
These are the states that most drastically underestimate their peers’ activity levels.
- New Hampshire – Perceived: 28.3% | Actual: 63.3% | Gap: -35%
- North Carolina – Perceived: 26.2% | Actual: 59.9% | Gap: -33.7%
- Maine – Perceived: 32.8% | Actual: 66.1% | Gap: -33.3%
New Hampshire and Maine, both known for outdoor recreation and access to nature, have some of the highest actual activity rates in the country. Yet locals believe fewer than a third of adults meet exercise guidelines.
North Carolina, with its mix of urban centers and rural areas, shows a similar pattern. Locals just seem to be missing how many people are staying active.
States with the smallest perception gaps
These states are nearer to reality but still undershoot how active their state actually is.
- Mississippi – Perceived: 33.2% | Actual: 51.2% | Gap: -18.%
- Oklahoma – Perceived: 32% | Actual: 51.1% | Gap: -19.1%
- Connecticut – Perceived: 37.4% | Actual: 57.3% | Gap: -19.9%
While the gap is smaller in these areas, there’s still a fairly large underestimation. Mississippi and Oklahoma have lower actual activity rates than many other states, so perceptions there align more closely with reality. Connecticut’s numbers suggest residents are somewhat more aware of how active people in their state are, a stark contrast from its neighboring New England states.
Americans across the board seem to underestimate how active their communities are, suggesting many people don’t see the full picture of local habits.
Next, we’ll examine the perception gap in diabetes prevalence, a factor closely tied to both obesity and activity levels.
The Diabetes Prevalence Perception Gap in the U.S.
Diabetes affects millions of Americans and is closely linked to factors like obesity and activity level. But when it comes to understanding how common the condition is in their own state, many people’s perceptions don’t line up with reality.
Let’s take a closer look at the perception gap in diabetes prevalence across the U.S. and see which states overestimate this health issue the most.
Nationally, Americans believe diabetes is far more common than it actually is.
- Perceived diabetes rate: 25%
- Actual diabetes rate: 11.3%
- Perception gap: 13.7%
This pattern of overestimation is clear at the state level, with some states showing even larger gaps.
States with the largest perception gaps
These are the states where people think diabetes prevalence is highest compared to the real figures.
- Arkansas – Perceived: 36.3% | Actual: 12.5% | Gap: 23.8%
- Louisiana – Perceived: 35.4% | Actual: 13.6% | Gap: 21.8%
- Hawaii – Perceived: 30.3% | Actual: 9.5% | Gap: 20.8%
Arkansas and Louisiana, both with higher-than-average actual rates, still see residents drastically overshooting the numbers. This likely reflects a heightened awareness of diabetes as a public health concern locally. Hawaii, despite having one of the lowest actual rates, shows a similar pattern of overestimation. As with obesity, the state’s focus on health and wellness, combined with exposure to tourists from all over, may amplify perceptions of the condition.
States with the smallest perception gaps
These are the states where the perception gap on diabetes is narrowest.
- Oregon – Perceived: 17.9% | Actual: 9.6% | Gap: 8.3%
- Missouri – Perceived: 19.7% | Actual: 11.3% | Gap: 8.4%
- Massachusetts – Perceived: 17.7% | Actual: 8.9% | Gap: 8.8%
While residents still overestimate how common diabetes is, Oregon’s perception gap is the smallest, aligning with its trend of accurate public perception across multiple health factors. Missouri and Massachusetts also stand out for having residents whose views come closer to reflecting reality.
Americans tend to believe diabetes is more widespread than data supports. This consistent overestimation is likely influenced by the visibility of the condition in public health messaging and personal experiences.
Finally, we’ll turn to a newer factor in the conversation about weight and health: GLP-1 use and how perceptions of these medications compare to actual usage.
The GLP-1 Use Perception Gap in the U.S.
GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy have been at the center of countless news stories and social conversations about weight loss and diabetes treatment. But has this attention shaped an accurate view of how many people actually use them?
Let’s explore the perception gap in GLP-1 use and see which states most overestimate how common these prescriptions are.
Nationally, Americans think far more people are on GLP-1s than data shows.
- Perceived GLP-1 use: 85.7 per 1,000 people
- Actual GLP-1 use: 9.2 per 1,000 people
- Perception gap: 76.5 per 1,000 people
This massive gap signals that public perception has been heavily influenced by the growing cultural conversation around these drugs.
States with the largest perception gaps
The widest gap in how frequently people think GLP-1s are used are in these states.
- Arizona – Perceived: 137.2 | Actual: 5.1 | Gap: 132.1
- Alabama – Perceived: 145.2 | Actual: 13.4 | Gap: 131.8
- Arkansas – Perceived: 129.2 | Actual: 13.3 | Gap: 115.9
These gaps are staggering. Residents in Arizona believe GLP-1 use is more than 25 times higher than it actually is. Alabama and Arkansas show similar extremes, likely fueled by the widespread attention these medications receive in conversations about weight loss. The actual usage in these states, while higher than some parts of the country, remains far below public estimates.
States with the smallest perception gaps
The narrowest gaps in GLP-1 use frequency come in these states.
- North Dakota – Perceived: 48.3 | Actual: 13.2 | Gap: 35.1
- Montana – Perceived: 52.3 | Actual: 8.2 | Gap: 44.1
- Vermont – Perceived: 57.3 | Actual: 10.4 | Gap: 46.9
Even in the states with the smallest gaps, people still believe GLP-1 use is four to five times more common than it really is. These findings suggest that the cultural spotlight on drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide has created a perception that their use is nearly ubiquitous, even in areas where prescriptions remain relatively low.
Across the country, Americans vastly overestimate how many people are using GLP-1 medications. This disconnect highlights just how much media coverage and word-of-mouth can amplify perceptions of a treatment beyond its actual reach.
Together with the gaps we’ve seen for obesity, activity level, and diabetes prevalence, these findings show a consistent pattern: when it comes to weight-related health factors, perception often strays far from reality.
Closing Thoughts
Perceptions of weight-related health issues don’t always match reality. In the U.S., our survey revealed that Americans often misjudge how common obesity, physical activity, diabetes, and GLP-1 use are in their own states. In many cases, residents believe the prevalence of these factors skew toward the negative side but that isn’t always the case.
The gaps show how media coverage, public conversations, and local environments can shape beliefs about health in ways that don’t exactly align with the data. Understanding the real numbers is an important step toward making informed decisions about wellness and treatment.
For those managing conditions like diabetes or seeking weight-loss solutions, having access to affordable medications is just as important as having the right information. Insulin Outlet helps Americans bridge that gap by providing safe, cost-effective options for treatments, including insulin, diabetes supplies, and other medications.
Methodology
To measure the perception gap for key weight-related statistics, we surveyed more than 2,400 people from 48 states. Respondents were asked to estimate the obesity rate, activity level, diabetes prevalence, and GLP-1 use in their own state.
We then compared these estimates to actual state-level data to identify where perceptions align with reality and where they diverge. Actual figures for obesity, activity level, and diabetes prevalence came from the most recent CDC data, while GLP-1 use data was sourced from Axios.
The survey was conducted over two weeks in July 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy Trelegy from a Canadian pharmacy online?
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When placing an order for Trelegy, you’ll need to provide a valid prescription issued by a licensed U.S. healthcare provider.
You can upload your valid prescription via your account or our platform. Then, we will review and process it before shipping Trelegy to your U.S. address.
Can I save money by buying Trelegy from Canada?
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Do I need a prescription to buy Trelegy from Insulin Outlet?
Yes, we require you to provide us with a valid prescription to purchase Trelegy. If you’re unsure how to submit your prescription or need help, our customer service team is ready to assist you every step of the way.
How long does it take to receive Wegovy from Insulin Outlet?
After your order and prescription are verified, delivery typically takes 4–10 business days. We ensure all medications are packaged securely for safe transit, with options available depending on the storage requirements of your medication.
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