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.
- What is the obesity rate in the US?
- Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in the US?
- What is the obesity rate in the US by income?
- Obesity rate by states 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 in the US | Obesity rate in the USA |
---|---|---|
2011 | 27.4% | 27.4% |
2012 | 27.7% | 27.7% |
2013 | 28.3% | 28.3% |
2014 | 28.9% | 28.9% |
2015 | 28.9% | 28.9% |
2016 | 29.6% | 29.6% |
2017 | 30.1% | 30.1% |
2018 | 30.9% | 30.9% |
2019 | 31.4% | 31.4% |
2020 | 31.9% | 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% | 22611 |
25 - 34 | 30.9% | 38280 |
35 - 44 | 35.5% | 44948 |
45 - 54 | 38.1% | 52842 |
55 - 64 | 36.3% | 69210 |
65 or older | 29.3% | 125950 |
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% |