Overweight and Obesity

General Information and Programs

Nutrition and Physical Activity

Overweight and Obesity

Fast Stats A-Z: Overweight Prevalence Statistics

Research

2012

Prevalence of Obesity: United States, 2009-2010 (1/31/2012)
More than one third of adults and almost 17% of youth were obese in 2009-2010. More than 35% of U.S. men and women were obese in 2009-2010.

Figure 4: Trends in the prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 and over, by sex: United States, 1999-2010 (1/31/2012)

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2011

Arthritis as a Potential Barrier to Physical Activity Among Adults with Obesity - United States, 2007 and 2009 (5/10/2011)
Arthritis and obesity are common chronic conditions affecting an estimated 50 million and 72 million U.S. adults, respectively. The findings in this report indicate that these conditions co-occur commonly (one in three adults with obesity also has arthritis) and might hinder the management of both conditions by limiting physical activity. Women were significantly more likely to have both arthritis and obesity or arthritis only.

Adult Obesity Prevalence in Canada and the United States (3/30/2011)
Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007-2009; the Canadian Heart Health Surveys, 1986-1992; and the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994 and 2007-2008. Obesity is a public health challenge throughout the world. Ongoing monitoring of trends in obesity is important to assess interventions aimed at preventing or reducing the burden of obesity.

Obesity and Socioeconomic Status in Adults: United States, 2005-2008
In 2007-2008 more than one-third of United States adults were obese. Higher income women are less likely to be obese than low income women, but most obese women are not low income. Among women, however, there is a trend, those with college degrees are less likely to be obese compared with less educated women.

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2010

U.S. Obesity Trends by State, 1985-2009 (9/30/10)
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2009, only Colorado and the District of Columbia had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.

Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Extreme Obesity Among Adults: United States, Trends 1976-1980 Through 2007-2008 (7/30/10)
Results from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 34.2% of U.S. adults aged 20 years and over are overweight, 33.8% are obese, and 5.7% are extremely obese.

Vital Signs: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence Among Adults - United States, 2009
Obesity is a costly condition that can reduce quality of life and increases the risk for many serious chronic diseases and premature death. In 2009, no state met the Healthy People 2010 obesity target of 15%, and the self-reported overall prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults had increased 1.1 percentage points from 2007.

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2009

Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States
This report contains 24 recommended obesity prevention strategies focusing on environmental and policy level change initiatives that can be implemented by local governments and school districts to promote healthy eating and active living. To assist local governments, states, and policy makers implement the CDC recommended obesity prevention strategies and report on the associated measurements a detailed Implementation and Measurement Guide (PDF-2.5Mb) was developed. The guide includes measurement data protocols, a listing of useful resources, and examples of communities that successfully implemented each obesity prevention strategy.
PDF

U.S. Obesity Trends
CDC posted the new 2008 Obesity Maps and statistics looking at state-by-state obesity prevalence. The data come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based phone survey of approximately 400,000 adults throughout the United States. The latest data indicate that obesity among U.S. adults continues to rise.
Press Release

QuickStats: Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults Aged ≥20 Years, by Race/Ethnicity and Sex - National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2003-2006 (12/28/09)
The age-adjusted percentage of adults aged ≥20 years who were obese during 2003--2006 varied by race/ethnicity among women, ranging from 53.3% for non-Hispanic black women to 41.8% for Mexican-American women and 31.6% for non-Hispanic white women. Obesity levels were more similar for Mexican-American men (28.8%), non-Hispanic black men (35.0%), and non-Hispanic white men (32.0%).

Differences in Prevalence of Obesity among Black, White, and Hispanic Adults- United States, 2006-2008 (8/10/09)
During 2006-2008, the age-adjusted estimated prevalence of obesity overall was 25.6 percent among non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic whites, and Hispanics. Non-Hispanic black women had the greatest prevalence (39.2 percent), followed by non-Hispanic black men (31.6 percent), Hispanic women (29.4 percent), Hispanic men (27.8 percent), non-Hispanic white men (25.4 percent), and non-Hispanic white women (21.8 percent).

Obesity and Women Podcast (5/15/09)
This women's health podcast focuses on obesity in women and girls. It discusses obesity-related health risks and includes tips to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

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Stats in a Snap

Prevalence of Obesity* Among Persons Aged 12-19 Years, by Race/Ethnicity and Sex - National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2009-2010

Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults Aged ≥20 Years, by Race/Ethnicity and Sex - National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2009-2010

Adults Who Are Obese, REACH, U.S., 2009

Figure 3 - Prevalence of Obesity among Adults Aged 20 years and over, by education, sex, and race and ethnicity: United States, 2005-2008

Obesity by Race/Ethnicity, Black Non-Hispanic, 2006-2008

QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged Over 20 Years Who Said They Tried to Lose Weight During the Preceding 12 Months, by Age Group and Sex: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey- United States, 2005-2006

Figure 4. Prevalence of obesity, by age, race/ethnicity, and sex, adults aged 20 years and older- United States, 2005-2006

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