Nutrition Facts & Stats
Nutrition Facts and Stats
Obesity trends in the U.S.- Adults
In 2023, more than 1 in 5 adults in all U.S. states and territories had obesity. For more information about the prevalence in your state, race, and ethnicity, click here.
Obesity Trends in the U.S.- Youth
- Facts
- For children, obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex.
- Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents have obesity.
- Obesity affects some groups more than others, including adolescents, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children, and children in families with lower incomes.
- Health care for obesity is expensive for patients and the health care system.
- Prevalence-
- Data collected from 2017-2020, approximately 14.7 million U.S. youths aged 2–19 years had obesity.
- Prevalence of obesity increased with age
- 12.7% among U.S. children 2–5 years old, 20.7% among those 6–11, and 22.2% among adolescents 12–19.
- Highest in Hispanic children (26.2%) and non-Hispanic Black children (24.8%) followed by non-Hispanic white (16.6%) and non-Hispanic Asian (9.0%) children.
- Among U.S. girls, obesity prevalence was highest among non-Hispanic Black girls (30.8%). Among U.S. boys, obesity prevalence was highest among Hispanic boys (29.3%).
- Obesity prevalence increased as family income decreased.*
- 11.5% among U.S. children with family income more than 350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- 21.2% among children with family income 130% to 350% of FPL.
- 25.8% among children with family income 130% or less of FPL
- Prevalence of obesity increased with age
- Data collected from 2017-2020, approximately 14.7 million U.S. youths aged 2–19 years had obesity.
- Cost-
- In 2019 dollars, the estimated annual medical cost of obesity among U.S. children was $1.3 billion.
- Medical costs for children with obesity were $116 higher per person per year than for children with healthy weight.
- Medical costs for children with severe obesity were $310 higher per person per year than for children with healthy weight.
- In 2019 dollars, the estimated annual medical cost of obesity among U.S. children was $1.3 billion.
Nutrition-related health conditions (2025)
Source- Dietary Guidelines for Americans