Obesity rates in Virginia in 2024

What is the obesity rate in Virginia?

In Virginia, 32.2% 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 38.6% of this population. The obesity rate is higher for Male (32.6%) in Virginia. Find also the relationship between income/education and obesity in Virginia.

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 Virginia

Year Obesity rate in Virginia Obesity rate in the USA
2011 29.2% 27.4%
2012 27.4% 27.7%
2013 27.2% 28.3%
2014 28.5% 28.9%
2015 29.2% 28.9%
2016 29% 29.6%
2017 30.1% 30.1%
2018 30.4% 30.9%
2019 31.9% 31.4%
2020 32.2% 31.9%

Obesity rates by age group in Virginia

What age group has the highest obesity rate in Virginia?

In Virginia, the age group with the highest incidence of obesity is 45 - 54 years old. 38.6% of the population is obese.

The age group with the lowest obesity rate is 18 - 24 years old, with 19.7% of this population.

  • 19.7% of people 18 - 24 years old are obese.
  • 31.8% of people 25 - 34 years old are obese.
  • 36% of people 35 - 44 years old are obese.
  • 38.6% of people 45 - 54 years old are obese.
  • 37.4% of people 55 - 64 years old are obese.
  • 28.2% of people 65 or older years old are obese.

Obesity rates by age group in Virginia

Age range Obesity rate in Virginia Sample size
18 - 24 19.7% 538
25 - 34 31.8% 894
35 - 44 36% 1,025
45 - 54 38.6% 1,267
55 - 64 37.4% 1,721
65 or older 28.2% 3,123

Obesity rates by gender in Virginia

Which gender has the highest rate of obesity in Virginia?

The obesity rate is higher for Males (32.6%) in Virginia. Female obesity rate is 31.8%.

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 Virginia

Year Females Males
2011 28.6% 29.7%
2012 27.5% 27.3%
2013 27.3% 27.1%
2014 29.3% 27.7%
2015 29.7% 28.8%
2016 29.5% 28.5%
2017 31.6% 28.5%
2018 30.2% 30.4%
2019 34.2% 29.6%
2020 31.8% 32.6%

Obesity rates by income and education in Virginia

In Virginia, the income group with the highest incidence of obesity is Less than $15,000. 38.5% of the population is obese.

The income group with the lowest obesity rate is $75,000 or greater, with 30.3% of this population.

  • 38.5% of people Less than $15,000 yearly income in Virginia are obese.
  • 38.3% of people $15,000 - $24,999 yearly income in Virginia are obese.
  • 34% of people $25,000 - $34,999 yearly income in Virginia are obese.
  • 35.9% of people $35,000 - $49,999 yearly income in Virginia are obese.
  • 34.4% of people $50,000 - $74,999 yearly income in Virginia are obese.
  • 30.3% of people $75,000 or greater yearly income in Virginia are obese.

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

Obesity rates by income in Virginia

Yearly income Obesity rate
Less than $15,000 38.5%
$15,000 - $24,999 38.3%
$25,000 - $34,999 34%
$35,000 - $49,999 35.9%
$50,000 - $74,999 34.4%
$75,000 or greater 30.3%

Obesity rates by education in Virginia

Education group Obesity rate
College graduate 26.1%
High school graduate 33.7%
Less than high school 43.4%
Some college or technical school 33.7%