Obesity rates in North Carolina in 2023

What is the obesity rate in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, 33.6% 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 45 - 54 years old with 40.8% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Female (34.4%) in North Carolina. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in North Carolina.

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 North Carolina

Year Obesity rate in North Carolina Obesity rate in the USA
2011 29.1% 27.4%
2012 29.6% 27.7%
2013 29.4% 28.3%
2014 29.7% 28.9%
2015 30.1% 28.9%
2016 31.8% 29.6%
2017 32.1% 30.1%
2018 33% 30.9%
2019 34% 31.4%
2020 33.6% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in North Carolina

What age group has the highest obesity rate in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 45 - 54 years old. 40.8% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 21.3% of this population.

  • 21.3% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 29.7% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 38.1% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 40.8% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 37.7% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 31.3% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in North Carolina

Age range Obesity rate in North Carolina Sample size
18 - 24 21.3% 356
25 - 34 29.7% 668
35 - 44 38.1% 707
45 - 54 40.8% 866
55 - 64 37.7% 946
65 or older 31.3% 1,617

Obesity rates by gender in North Carolina

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in North Carolina?

The obesity rate is higher for Females (34.4%) in North Carolina. Male obesity rate is 32.8%.

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 North Carolina

Year Females Males
2011 30% 28.3%
2012 29.6% 29.5%
2013 30.2% 28.6%
2014 31.1% 28.3%
2015 31.3% 28.9%
2016 33.3% 30.3%
2017 33.8% 30.5%
2018 33.9% 32.1%
2019 37.4% 30.6%
2020 34.4% 32.8%

Obesity rates by income and education in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is $15,000 - $24,999. 40.1% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 30% of this population.

  • 36.8% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in North Carolina are obese.
  • 40.1% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in North Carolina are obese.
  • 32.9% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in North Carolina are obese.
  • 37.3% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in North Carolina are obese.
  • 38.8% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in North Carolina are obese.
  • 30% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in North Carolina are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in North Carolina

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 36.8%
$15,000 - $24,999 40.1%
$25,000 - $34,999 32.9%
$35,000 - $49,999 37.3%
$50,000 - $74,999 38.8%
$75,000 or greater 30%

Obesity rates by education in North Carolina

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 27.5%
High school graduate 37%
Less than high school 37%
Some college or technical school 35.8%