Adult Obesity Facts (original) (raw)

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Many U.S. adults have obesity

The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults 20 and over was 41.9% during 2017–March 2020.1 During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity among U.S. adults was 9.2%. This means that more than 100 million adults have obesity, and more than 22 million adults have severe obesity.

The prevalence of obesity increased from 30.5% in 1999-20002to 41.9% in 2017–March 2020. During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%.

Note: Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher. Severe obesity is defined as having a BMI of 40.0 or higher.

Obesity affects some groups more than others

In 2017–March 2020, non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest obesity prevalence (49.9%) followed by Hispanic (45.6%), non-Hispanic White (41.4%), and non-Hispanic Asian (16.1%) adults.1

In 2017–March 2020, obesity prevalence was highest among U.S. adults with a high school diploma or some college education (46.4%) followed by those with less than a high school diploma (40.1%) and those with a college degree or above (34.2%).1

In 2017–March 2020, differences by age group were not statistically significant. Obesity prevalence was 39.8% among U.S. adults aged 20–39 years, 44.3% among adults aged 40–59 years, and 41.5% among adults aged 60 years and older..1

Obesity is serious and expensive

Many adults with obesity have other serious chronic diseases. For example, 58% of U.S. adults with obesity have high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. Also, approximately 23% of U.S. adults with obesity have diabetes.1

Health care for obesity is expensive for patients and the health care system. In 2019 dollars, annual medical costs for adults with obesity were 1,861higherperpersonthanadultswithhealthyweight.Foradultswithsevereobesity,theexcesscostswere1,861 higher per person than adults with healthy weight. For adults with severe obesity, the excess costs were 1,861higherperpersonthanadultswithhealthyweight.Foradultswithsevereobesity,theexcesscostswere3,097 per person. This accounts for nearly $173 billion in medical expenditures in 2019 dollars.2

May 14, 2024

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