Obesity: What You need to know

Obesity is a chronic disease that can affect both body and mind.¹ It isn’t a personal failing, and it can be treated. Here’s what you should know, especially if you live in a rural community — and here is where to start if you’re ready to take a step for yourself or someone you love.

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Your Weight and Your Mental Health Are Connected

Did you know people with obesity are about one-third more likely to develop depression?² And yet many people do not seek help. The shame and judgment that often come with obesity can leave people feeling anxious and alone, and keep them from seeing a doctor.³˒⁴

In small towns, that stigma can be even greater, and it often overlaps with the stigma that surrounds mental health.⁵ Asking for help with either obesity or mental health may feel awkward — or even scary. But it’s a necessary first step to managing the situation and feeling better.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.

Why it’s harder in rural COMMUNITIES

Where you live can make both mental and physical health harder to manage.

  • Nearly half of rural adults have obesity, compared with 42% of adults in cities and suburbs.⁶

  • About 6 in 10 Designated Health Professional Shortage Areas in the U.S. are rural.⁷

  • In rural communities, the drive to the nearest mental health care facility is up to twice as long as it is in urban areas.⁵

  • About 1 in 5 rural households don’t have high-speed internet at home, which can make it harder to see a doctor or counselor online.⁵

Fewer doctors and longer drives to the grocery store can make it harder to purchase healthy food, manage weight, and access care.⁶˒⁷

Hear from someone who’s been there

Where to start

A care plan for obesity is different for each person. It can include support for building new habits, nutrition guidance, physical activity, and medication or surgery when appropriate.⁸ A doctor can help you figure out what makes sense for you.

Not sure what to ask your doctor? Try asking:

  • Is my weight affecting my health? How?  

  • What is a healthier weight for me?

  • Do you have any resources or treatment recommendations for me?

The Coverage Gap

Insurance often won’t cover obesity treatment, even when it would cover the same treatment for diabetes or heart disease.⁹ That gap hits hardest in rural communities, where adult obesity rates are higher than in urban areas,⁶ incomes are lower, and more people are under-insured¹⁰ or have no insurance.⁵

People living in rural areas deserve the same treatment options as everyone else.

Learn More at My Health On My Terms

My Health On My Terms has stories from real people, printable guides, myths and facts, and tips for talking with your doctor and making a plan that fits your life.

Visit My Health On My Terms

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About obesity. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/php/about/index.html

  2. Jokela M, Laakasuo M. Obesity as a causal risk factor for depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization studies and implications for population mental health. J Psychiatr Res. 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395623002200

  3. Obesity Action Coalition. Understanding obesity stigma. https://www.obesityaction.org/get-educated/public-resources/brochures-guides/understanding-obesity-stigma-brochure/

  4. Keller AS, et al. Perceived health concerns and barriers to care in persons with overweight and obesity: a patient survey. J Prim Care Community Health. 2024. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319241303608

  5. Negaro SND, Hantman RM, Probst JC, et al. Geographic variations in driving time to US mental health care, digital access to technology, and household crowdedness. Health Aff Sch. 2023;1(6):qxad070. https://academic.oup.com/healthaffairsscholar/article/1/6/qxad070/7456724

  6. USDA Economic Research Service. US obesity rate changes differ for rural and urban areas, as well as across regions. Amber Waves. August 2025. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2025/august/us-obesity-rate-changes-differ-for-rural-and-urban-areas-as-well-as-across-regions

  7. Health Resources and Services Administration. Health professional shortage areas: rural/non-rural classification, as of December 31, 2025. https://data.hrsa.gov/Default/GenerateHPSAQuarterlyReport

  8. Obesity Medicine Association. Comprehensive care for patients with obesity: an Obesity Medicine Association position statement. Obesity Pillars. 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667368123000165

  9. KFF. What to know about the BALANCE model for GLP-1s in Medicare and Medicaid and the Medicare GLP-1 bridge. May 2026. https://www.kff.org/medicare/what-to-know-about-the-balance-model-for-glp-1s-in-medicare-and-medicaid/

  10. Gunja MZ, et al. Rural Americans struggle with medical bills and health care affordability. To the Point (blog). Commonwealth Fund. July 2023. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2023/rural-americans-struggle-medical-bills-and-health-care-affordability

Supported by Eli Lilly and Company.