Obesity rates in Iowa in 2023

What is the obesity rate in Iowa?

In Iowa, 36.5% 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 45 - 54 years old with 44.8% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Male (36.8%) in Iowa. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in Iowa.

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 Iowa

Year Obesity rate in Iowa Obesity rate in the USA
2011 29% 27.4%
2012 30.4% 27.7%
2013 31.3% 28.3%
2014 30.9% 28.9%
2015 32.1% 28.9%
2016 32% 29.6%
2017 36.4% 30.1%
2018 35.3% 30.9%
2019 33.9% 31.4%
2020 36.5% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in Iowa

What age group has the highest obesity rate in Iowa?

In Iowa, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 45 - 54 years old. 44.8% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 23.1% of this population.

  • 23.1% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 36.8% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 41.7% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 44.8% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 41.7% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 31.8% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in Iowa

Age range Obesity rate in Iowa Sample size
18 - 24 23.1% 687
25 - 34 36.8% 894
35 - 44 41.7% 1,238
45 - 54 44.8% 1,325
55 - 64 41.7% 1,601
65 or older 31.8% 2,947

Obesity rates by gender in Iowa

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in Iowa?

The obesity rate is higher for Males (36.8%) in Iowa. Female obesity rate is 36.2%.

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 Iowa

Year Females Males
2011 27.4% 30.4%
2012 29.3% 31.5%
2013 30.1% 32.4%
2014 29.8% 32%
2015 29.3% 34.8%
2016 30% 33.8%
2017 36.4% 36.4%
2018 34.6% 36%
2019 32.6% 35.2%
2020 36.2% 36.8%

Obesity rates by income and education in Iowa

In Iowa, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is $25,000 - $34,999. 44.8% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 33.9% of this population.

  • 42.1% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in Iowa are obese.
  • 40.6% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in Iowa are obese.
  • 44.8% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in Iowa are obese.
  • 35.8% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in Iowa are obese.
  • 41% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in Iowa are obese.
  • 33.9% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in Iowa are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in Iowa

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 42.1%
$15,000 - $24,999 40.6%
$25,000 - $34,999 44.8%
$35,000 - $49,999 35.8%
$50,000 - $74,999 41%
$75,000 or greater 33.9%

Obesity rates by education in Iowa

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 30%
High school graduate 35.4%
Less than high school 35.9%
Some college or technical school 35.3%