Large cities in Alabama are outpacing the state’s already high average for obesity rates, a trend that gained speed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Data from City Health for Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile all show a rise in obesity between 2016 and 2021, with the steepest climb coming since 2019. The increase was sharpest in Huntsville, where obesity rose from 32.6% to 43.7%. Birmingham climbed from 41.7% to 44.9% and Mobile from 39% to 41.3%.