Obesity and Severe Obesity in U.S. Adults

Overview

Obesity is a chronic health condition that increases the risk of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Monitoring trends in obesity and severe obesity is essential for public health planning and intervention.

• Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater.

• Severe obesity is defined as a BMI of 40 or greater.

• Data are primarily drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a representative survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.

Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity (2021–2023)

General Prevalence

During August 2021–August 2023, the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults was 40.3%. The prevalence of severe obesity was 9.4%.

• Obesity prevalence was higher in adults aged 40–59 years (49.0%) compared to other age groups.

• Severe obesity was also most common in the 40–59 age group (12.0%).

• Obesity prevalence was higher in women (41.3%) than in men (39.2%), but this difference was not statistically significant.

Obesity by Sex and Age

Obesity and severe obesity rates vary by sex and age group. The following table summarizes the prevalence:

Obesity by Education Level

Obesity prevalence is inversely related to education level. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher had a lower prevalence (31.6%) compared to those with less education.

• This trend was observed in both men and women.

• No significant differences in obesity prevalence by sex within each education level.

Trends Over Time

Recent Trends (2013–2023)

From 2013–2014 to August 2021–August 2023, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in adults did not change significantly. The prevalence of severe obesity also remained stable.

• Obesity: 39.9% (2017–March 2020) to 40.3% (2021–2023)

• Severe obesity: 9.2% (2017–March 2020) to 9.4% (2021–2023)

Monitoring these trends is important for understanding the impact of public health interventions and for setting future health goals.

Key Definitions

• Body Mass Index (BMI): Calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, rounded to one decimal place.

• Obesity: BMI ≥ 30

• Severe Obesity: BMI ≥ 40

Data Source and Methods

• Data are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.

• NHANES uses standardized health examinations and interviews to collect data.

• Prevalence estimates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Census population.

Summary of Findings

• Obesity and severe obesity remain significant public health concerns in the United States.

• Prevalence is highest in middle-aged adults (40–59 years) and lowest among those with higher education.

• There are no significant differences in obesity prevalence between men and women overall.

• Monitoring obesity trends is essential for evaluating progress toward public health goals, such as the Healthy People 2030 objective of reducing adult obesity to 36.0%.

Example: Application of BMI Calculation

• Example: An adult weighing 90 kg and measuring 1.75 m tall has a BMI of: This individual would not be classified as obese (BMI < 30).

Additional info:

• Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for many chronic diseases, and public health interventions often target diet, physical activity, and education to reduce prevalence.

• Socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and access to healthcare also influence obesity rates, though these factors were not the primary focus of this report.