Obesity rates in California in 2024

What is the obesity rate in California?

In California, 30.3% of the adult population is obese, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Monitoring System

The age group with the highest adult incidence of obesity is 55 - 64 years old with 36.5% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Male (30.7%) in California. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in California.

Defining Adult Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to define healthy, overweight and obesity. Use the BMI Calculator to find your BMI.

  • If your BMI is < 18.5: Underweight range.
  • If your BMI is 18.5 to <25: Healthy weight range.
  • If your BMI is 25.0 to <30: Overweight range.
  • If your BMI <= 30.0: Obesity range.

Obesity rates evolution in California

Year Obesity rate in California Obesity rate in the USA
2011 23.8% 27.4%
2012 25% 27.7%
2013 24.1% 28.3%
2014 24.7% 28.9%
2015 24.2% 28.9%
2016 25% 29.6%
2017 25.1% 30.1%
2018 25.8% 30.9%
2019 26.2% 31.4%
2020 30.3% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in California

What age group has the highest obesity rate in California?

In California, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 55 - 64 years old. 36.5% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 18.7% of this population.

  • 18.7% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 31.2% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 32.4% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 33.9% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 36.5% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 26.1% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in California

Age range Obesity rate in California Sample size
18 - 24 18.7% 402
25 - 34 31.2% 826
35 - 44 32.4% 650
45 - 54 33.9% 625
55 - 64 36.5% 719
65 or older 26.1% 1,132

Obesity rates by gender in California

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in California?

The obesity rate is higher for Males (30.7%) in California. Female obesity rate is 29.8%.

An important risk factor for the onset of obesity is gender. In the majority of the population, women have a twice-as-high risk of being overweight or obese. In addition, women have a twofold higher mortality risk than overweight men and are more likely to experience physical and psychological comorbidities associated with obesity.

Obesity rates by gender in California

Year Females Males
2011 24.5% 23.1%
2012 23.8% 26.2%
2013 23.1% 25.1%
2014 25.4% 24%
2015 23.7% 24.6%
2016 25.2% 24.9%
2017 25.8% 24.5%
2018 25.6% 26%
2019 28% 24.3%
2020 29.8% 30.7%

Obesity rates by income and education in California

In California, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is Less than $15,000. 39.4% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 26.1% of this population.

  • 39.4% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in California are obese.
  • 34.1% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in California are obese.
  • 37.9% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in California are obese.
  • 31.1% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in California are obese.
  • 31.9% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in California are obese.
  • 26.1% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in California are obese.

Use our BMI calculator for women or our BMI calculator for men to find what your BMI.

Obesity rates by income in California

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 39.4%
$15,000 - $24,999 34.1%
$25,000 - $34,999 37.9%
$35,000 - $49,999 31.1%
$50,000 - $74,999 31.9%
$75,000 or greater 26.1%

Obesity rates by education in California

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 18%
High school graduate 30.8%
Less than high school 36.7%
Some college or technical school 25.7%