Obesity - The Office of Minority Health

Obesity Data/Statistics

Obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States. From 1988–2004, the overall prevalence of overweight preschool-age children ages 2–5 years almost doubled, increasing from about 7% to 14%.¹ From 1960– 2004, the percentage of obese adults ages 20 years and older more than doubled, increasing from 13% to 32%.² Among adults, overweight and obesity are associated with increased mortality rates, as well as elevated risks of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.³ Obesity is of particular concern for our children, since overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.⁴

Quick Facts

From 2001-2004, African American women were 70% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders are 3.7 times more likely to be obese than the overall Asian American population.
In 2003- 2004 Mexican American children, between the ages 6-11, were 1.3 times more likely to be overweight as Non- Hispanic White Children.
American Indian/Alaskan Natives are 1.6 times as likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic whites.
For statistics on African Americans and obesity, please click here.

For statistics on American Indians/Alaska Natives and obesity, please click here.

For statistics on Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and obesity, please click here.

For statistics on Hispanic Americans and obesity, please click here.

¹CDC, 2007. Health United States, 2007, page 9.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf[PDF, 475KB]

²CDC, 2007. Health United States, 2007, Table 74.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf[PDF, 475KB]

³CDC, 2007. Health United States, 2007, page 40.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf[PDF, 475KB]

⁴U.S. Surgeon General.
Overweight and Obesity: Health Consequences.

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Last Modified: 06/27/2008 11:12:00 AM