Obesity rates in Massachusetts in 2024

What is the obesity rate in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, 24.4% 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 29.6% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Male (25.4%) in Massachusetts. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in Massachusetts.

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 Massachusetts

Year Obesity rate in Massachusetts Obesity rate in the USA
2011 22.7% 27.4%
2012 22.9% 27.7%
2013 23.6% 28.3%
2014 23.3% 28.9%
2015 24.3% 28.9%
2016 23.6% 29.6%
2017 25.9% 30.1%
2018 25.7% 30.9%
2019 25.2% 31.4%
2020 24.4% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in Massachusetts

What age group has the highest obesity rate in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 55 - 64 years old. 29.6% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 12.7% of this population.

  • 12.7% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 21.4% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 28.9% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 26.1% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 29.6% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 24.9% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in Massachusetts

Age range Obesity rate in Massachusetts Sample size
18 - 24 12.7% 449
25 - 34 21.4% 767
35 - 44 28.9% 707
45 - 54 26.1% 977
55 - 64 29.6% 1,276
65 or older 24.9% 1,948

Obesity rates by gender in Massachusetts

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in Massachusetts?

The obesity rate is higher for Males (25.4%) in Massachusetts. Female obesity rate is 23.4%.

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 Massachusetts

Year Females Males
2011 21.4% 24.1%
2012 21.2% 24.6%
2013 21.4% 25.9%
2014 23% 23.6%
2015 23% 25.5%
2016 21.1% 25.9%
2017 24.2% 27.6%
2018 24.3% 27%
2019 24.3% 26%
2020 23.4% 25.4%

Obesity rates by income and education in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is $50,000 - $74,999. 29.3% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 23.5% of this population.

  • 25.9% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in Massachusetts are obese.
  • 28.8% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in Massachusetts are obese.
  • 24.8% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in Massachusetts are obese.
  • 26.1% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in Massachusetts are obese.
  • 29.3% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in Massachusetts are obese.
  • 23.5% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in Massachusetts are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in Massachusetts

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 25.9%
$15,000 - $24,999 28.8%
$25,000 - $34,999 24.8%
$35,000 - $49,999 26.1%
$50,000 - $74,999 29.3%
$75,000 or greater 23.5%

Obesity rates by education in Massachusetts

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 19.6%
High school graduate 27%
Less than high school 32.7%
Some college or technical school 29.4%