Obesity rates in Puerto Rico in 2024

What is the obesity rate in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico, 31.4% 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 41.8% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Female (34.1%) in Puerto Rico. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in Puerto Rico.

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 Puerto Rico

Year Obesity rate in Puerto Rico Obesity rate in the USA
2013 27.9% 28.3%
2014 28.3% 28.9%
2015 29.5% 28.9%
2016 30.7% 29.6%
2017 32.9% 30.1%
2018 32.9% 30.9%
2019 32.5% 31.4%
2020 31.4% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in Puerto Rico

What age group has the highest obesity rate in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 55 - 64 years old. 41.8% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 17.6% of this population.

  • 17.6% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 27.2% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 37.1% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 39.5% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 41.8% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 24.1% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in Puerto Rico

Age range Obesity rate in Puerto Rico Sample size
18 - 24 17.6% 356
25 - 34 27.2% 699
35 - 44 37.1% 753
45 - 54 39.5% 915
55 - 64 41.8% 919
65 or older 24.1% 1,060

Obesity rates by gender in Puerto Rico

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in Puerto Rico?

The obesity rate is higher for Females (34.1%) in Puerto Rico. Male obesity rate is 28.4%.

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 Puerto Rico

Year Females Males
2013 29.1% 26.7%
2014 29.6% 26.8%
2015 31.1% 27.8%
2016 31.4% 30%
2017 35.7% 30%
2018 32.7% 33.1%
2019 33.5% 31.3%
2020 34.1% 28.4%

Obesity rates by income and education in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is $50,000 - $74,999. 34.3% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 28.9% of this population.

  • 32.9% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in Puerto Rico are obese.
  • 31.5% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in Puerto Rico are obese.
  • 31.2% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in Puerto Rico are obese.
  • 32.6% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in Puerto Rico are obese.
  • 34.3% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in Puerto Rico are obese.
  • 28.9% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in Puerto Rico are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in Puerto Rico

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 32.9%
$15,000 - $24,999 31.5%
$25,000 - $34,999 31.2%
$35,000 - $49,999 32.6%
$50,000 - $74,999 34.3%
$75,000 or greater 28.9%

Obesity rates by education in Puerto Rico

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 30.4%
High school graduate 32.3%
Less than high school 33.4%
Some college or technical school 35.5%