Obesity United States Statistics: Updated
Two sets of updated obesity United States statistics reveal that the percentage of obese Americans is now between 26% and 32% (almost 1 in every 3 people).1,2 In addition to understanding who is obese in America, it is also important to consider statistics related to obesity’s implications.
This page explores a wide variety of obesity statistics in America, including:
- National and state-specific obesity rates (slideshow)
- Statistics by race/ethnicity (slideshow)
- Health conditions correlated with obesity
- Health care costs for obese individuals
- Obesity discrimination statistics
Obesity United States Statistics: National and State-specific Obesity Rates
To review obesity statistics in America by state, use the Americas Health Rankings’ State Obesity Calculator.
To illustrate the significance of the American obesity epidemic both in terms of the national prevalence of obesity and the increase in the average body mass index (BMI) over the last 24 years, scroll through the following presentation.
As you progress through the presentation, notice how the state colors correlate with the percentage of individuals in each state who are considered obese (have a BMI of 30 or greater).
To scroll through the slides, click the right arrow at the bottom.
To make the slides easier to read, view full screen by clicking the 'Menu' button at the lower right, then click 'View Fullscreen'. To close full screen, press the "ESC" button on your keyboard.
Since 1988, the average male in America has gained over 17 pounds while the average female has gained about 15 1/2. If the current trends continue, almost 43% of Americans will be obese by the year 2018.3
Obesity United States Statistics by Race/Ethnicity
To further break down the data, the following presentation explores the data by race/ethnicity.
The most recent data available shows that African Americans had the highest prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanics then whites.
As with the presentation above, the state colors correlate with the percentage of each ethnic group's obesity rates by state...
To scroll through the slides, click the right arrow at the bottom.
To make the slides easier to read, view full screen by clicking the 'Menu' button at the lower right, then click 'View Fullscreen'. To close full screen, press the "ESC" button on your keyboard.
Obesity United States Statistics: Health Conditions Associated with Obesity
Obesity is correlated with a wide array of health problems ranging from minor to life-threatening. Following are some of the more severe obesity-related health statistics...
- Obese men: obesity predicted a 26-year incidence of coronary disease, coronary death and congestive heart failure. The life expectancy of a man in his 20s is 13 years shorter if his body mass index is over 45.4
- Obese women: Women’s weight is directly related with coronary disease, stroke, congestive failure, coronary and cardiovascular disease death.
- Obese mothers: Obese moms increase the babies’ risk of low blood sugar (associated with brain damage and seizures), high birthweight (higher Cesarean section delivery rate) and birth defects.
- Diabetes and obesity: Over 85% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese. In addition, gaining just 11 to 18 pounds doubles an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes
However, it should be noted that:
- Overweight people (BMI 25 to 29.9) live longer than those at “normal” weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9).5
- Among the elderly, obesity is not a major cause of death because overweight and obese senior citizens (BMI at or above 24) actually live longer than those at a normal or below normal body weight (BMI below 24).6
See our Obesity Health Problems page for a complete list of both minor and severe obesity-related health statistics.
Obesity United States Statistics: Health care Costs for Obese Individuals
A higher prevalence of minor and severe health problems brings with it higher health care & prescription expenses for those who are obese. Obese individuals have $1,429 higher medical costs than those of normal weight, according to a recent report published by the CDC.
For those in the 55 and older category, the margin widens quite a bit. The following chart compares the average annual healthcare expenses for normal weight, overweight and obese individuals...
| Normal Weight | Overweight | Obese | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference: A Above data is based off of 2002 findings by the AHRQ. The expenses have been increased to 2010 levels, which were extrapolated using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. |
|||
| Mean Total Health Care Expense | $7,512 | $7,634 | $10,083 |
| Mean Inpatient Expense | $2,407 | $2,366 | $3,561 |
| Mean Prescription Expense | $1,518 | $1,650 | $2,532 |
Obesity United States Statistics: Obesity Discrimination
A nationally representative study of almost 3,000 adults found that the likelihood of reporting obesity discrimination at work increased with weight. Compared with those of normal weight:
- Overweight respondents were 12 times more likely to report discrimination
- Obese respondents: 37 times more likely
- Severely obese respondents: 100 times more likely
Of the respondents, women were 16 times more likely to report weight-related employment discrimination than men.
In addition, obese men and women are paid less on average than workers of normal weight:
- Obese men receive wages that are 0.7 to 3.4% less
- Obese women receive 2.3 to 6.1% less.
For more obesity United States statistics related to discrimination, see our Obesity Discrimination page.
To jump straight to a particular section of statistics on that page, click one of the following:
- Obesity discrimination in employment
- Obesity discrimination in health care
- Obesity discrimination in education
- Obesity discrimination in dating and romantic relationships
For additional research, search for your topic...
Also see...
References
- Vital Signs: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence Among Adults --- United States, 2009. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aug 2010. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0803a1.htm?s_cid=mm59e0803a1_e%0D%0A
- Obesity in America. America's Health Rankings. Available at: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/
Obesity.aspx?st=zUS - Spotlight on Obesity. America’s Health Rankings. Available at: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2009/spotlight/weightgain.aspx
- Fontaine KR, Redden DT, Wang C, Westfall AO, Allison DB. Years of life lost due to obesity. JAMA 2003; 289:187–193
- Mary Anne McCaffree, MD, Chair. The clinical utility of measuring body mass index and waist circumference in the diagnosis and management of adult overweight and obesity. June 2008. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/
38/a08csaphreports.pdf. Accessed: August 15, 2009. - Rhoades, J. Overweight and Obese Elderly and Near Elderly in the United States, 2002: Estimates for the Noninstitutionalized Population Age 55 and Older. Feb 2005. Available at: http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/
mepsweb/data_files/publications/st68/stat68.pdf - For additional references, follow links in each section above to other pages throughout this site.
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