Obesity rates in Tennessee in 2024

What is the obesity rate in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, 35.6% 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 43.7% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Female (36.7%) in Tennessee. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in Tennessee.

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 Tennessee

Year Obesity rate in Tennessee Obesity rate in the USA
2011 29.2% 27.4%
2012 31.1% 27.7%
2013 33.7% 28.3%
2014 31.2% 28.9%
2015 33.8% 28.9%
2016 34.8% 29.6%
2017 32.8% 30.1%
2018 34.4% 30.9%
2019 36.5% 31.4%
2020 35.6% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in Tennessee

What age group has the highest obesity rate in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 55 - 64 years old. 43.7% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 25.3% of this population.

  • 25.3% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 31.8% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 40.4% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 41.1% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 43.7% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 30.3% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in Tennessee

Age range Obesity rate in Tennessee Sample size
18 - 24 25.3% 300
25 - 34 31.8% 523
35 - 44 40.4% 581
45 - 54 41.1% 664
55 - 64 43.7% 792
65 or older 30.3% 1,292

Obesity rates by gender in Tennessee

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in Tennessee?

The obesity rate is higher for Females (36.7%) in Tennessee. Male obesity rate is 34.4%.

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 Tennessee

Year Females Males
2011 30.4% 28%
2012 31.8% 30.4%
2013 34.6% 32.8%
2014 30.5% 32%
2015 34.5% 33.1%
2016 33.5% 36.2%
2017 32.4% 33.3%
2018 35.3% 33.5%
2019 36% 37.1%
2020 36.7% 34.4%

Obesity rates by income and education in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is $15,000 - $24,999. 40.7% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 32% of this population.

  • 39% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in Tennessee are obese.
  • 40.7% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in Tennessee are obese.
  • 37.7% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in Tennessee are obese.
  • 40.6% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in Tennessee are obese.
  • 36.7% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in Tennessee are obese.
  • 32% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in Tennessee are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in Tennessee

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 39%
$15,000 - $24,999 40.7%
$25,000 - $34,999 37.7%
$35,000 - $49,999 40.6%
$50,000 - $74,999 36.7%
$75,000 or greater 32%

Obesity rates by education in Tennessee

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 30%
High school graduate 40.6%
Less than high school 33.8%
Some college or technical school 38.6%