2026 WalletHub Report: Why Shreveport Ranks as a ‘Fattest City’ in America

If you’ve been following my journey lately, from diving into those incredible Birria tacos at 318 Food Fest, to sipping lattes at the new SippHouse, you know I am the first person to celebrate the Northwest Louisiana culinary scene.

We have "hidden gems" around every corner, and I live for a good food festival. But a recent report from WalletHub has me hitting the pause button and asking a really tough question: Is our love for local eats becoming a bad thing for our waists?

It’s no secret that Americans are statistically some of the most overweight people in the world, but the latest data hits even closer to home. Shreveport just ranked at number 8 on the list of the "Fattest Cities in America." We aren't just on the radar; we are high up on a list that includes our neighbors in Little Rock, Memphis, and Jackson.

The Top 10 List of Fattest Cities in America in 2026

1. Little Rock, AR
2. McAllen, TX
3. Memphis, TN
4. Jackson, MS
5. Augusta, GA
6. Lafayette, LA
7. Fayetteville, AR
8. Shreveport, LA
9. Mobile, AL
10. Baton Rouge, LA

According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, obesity is costing the U.S. nearly $190 billion a year in medical treatments. For us in the 318, it’s not just about the money, it’s about our lifestyle. The report examined everything from physical inactivity to access to healthy food, and the results suggest we may need to pivot our "weekend fun."

Does this mean we have to trade in our favorite food trucks for a permanent gym membership? Maybe not entirely, but it might be time to balance out the calories. Instead of just hitting a food festival this weekend, maybe we should all be checking out the new Picklr in Bossier or hitting the local dog parks with our pups.

Are you shocked to see Shreveport consistently ranking so high on this list? Or is it just the price we pay for living in a city with such amazing flavor? Let’s talk about it, how do we keep the "318 Eats" vibe alive while staying healthy?