Obesity rates in Pennsylvania in 2023

What is the obesity rate in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, 31.5% 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 39.3% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Female (32.1%) in Pennsylvania. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in Pennsylvania.

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 Pennsylvania

Year Obesity rate in Pennsylvania Obesity rate in the USA
2011 28.6% 27.4%
2012 29.1% 27.7%
2013 30% 28.3%
2014 30.2% 28.9%
2015 30% 28.9%
2016 30.3% 29.6%
2017 31.6% 30.1%
2018 30.9% 30.9%
2019 33.2% 31.4%
2020 31.5% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in Pennsylvania

What age group has the highest obesity rate in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 45 - 54 years old. 39.3% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 16.7% of this population.

  • 16.7% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 30.6% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 35.5% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 39.3% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 35.3% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 29.4% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in Pennsylvania

Age range Obesity rate in Pennsylvania Sample size
18 - 24 16.7% 409
25 - 34 30.6% 676
35 - 44 35.5% 719
45 - 54 39.3% 839
55 - 64 35.3% 1,000
65 or older 29.4% 1,382

Obesity rates by gender in Pennsylvania

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in Pennsylvania?

The obesity rate is higher for Females (32.1%) in Pennsylvania. Male obesity rate is 30.9%.

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 Pennsylvania

Year Females Males
2011 27.6% 29.5%
2012 29.2% 28.9%
2013 29.7% 30.3%
2014 29.1% 31.2%
2015 30.1% 29.9%
2016 29.3% 31.3%
2017 30.5% 32.7%
2018 30.8% 30.9%
2019 33.2% 33.3%
2020 32.1% 30.9%

Obesity rates by income and education in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is Less than $15,000. 42.9% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 29.1% of this population.

  • 42.9% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in Pennsylvania are obese.
  • 33.5% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in Pennsylvania are obese.
  • 29.2% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in Pennsylvania are obese.
  • 33.9% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in Pennsylvania are obese.
  • 34.9% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in Pennsylvania are obese.
  • 29.1% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in Pennsylvania are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in Pennsylvania

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 42.9%
$15,000 - $24,999 33.5%
$25,000 - $34,999 29.2%
$35,000 - $49,999 33.9%
$50,000 - $74,999 34.9%
$75,000 or greater 29.1%

Obesity rates by education in Pennsylvania

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 27.2%
High school graduate 35.6%
Less than high school 35.9%
Some college or technical school 35.4%