Obesity rates in the US in 2023

What is the obesity rate in the US?

In the US, 31.9% 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 38.1% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Female (32.1%) in the US. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in the US.

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 the US

Year Obesity rate
2011 27.4%
2012 27.7%
2013 28.3%
2014 28.9%
2015 28.9%
2016 29.6%
2017 30.1%
2018 30.9%
2019 31.4%
2020 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in the US

What age group has the highest obesity rate in the US?

In the US, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 45 - 54 years old. 38.1% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 19.5% of this population.

  • 19.5% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 30.9% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 35.5% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 38.1% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 36.3% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 29.3% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in the US

Age range Obesity rate in the US Sample size
18 - 24 19.5% 22,611
25 - 34 30.9% 38,280
35 - 44 35.5% 44,948
45 - 54 38.1% 52,842
55 - 64 36.3% 69,210
65 or older 29.3% 125,950

Obesity rates by gender in the US

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in the US?

The obesity rate is higher for Females (32.1%) in the US. Male obesity rate is 31.7%.

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 the US

Year Females Males
2011 27.1% 27.8%
2012 27.4% 28%
2013 28.3% 28.3%
2014 28.8% 29%
2015 28.6% 29.1%
2016 29.5% 29.6%
2017 30% 30.2%
2018 31.3% 30.6%
2019 32.1% 30.6%
2020 32.1% 31.7%

Obesity rates by income and education in the US

In the US, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is Less than $15,000. 37.9% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 29% of this population.

  • 37.9% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in the US are obese.
  • 36.1% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in the US are obese.
  • 35.1% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in the US are obese.
  • 34.3% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in the US are obese.
  • 34% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in the US are obese.
  • 29% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in the US are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in the US

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 37.9%
$15,000 - $24,999 36.1%
$25,000 - $34,999 35.1%
$35,000 - $49,999 34.3%
$50,000 - $74,999 34%
$75,000 or greater 29%

Obesity rates by education in the US

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 25%
High school graduate 34.3%
Less than high school 36.2%
Some college or technical school 32.8%