Weight

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During 2017.5, 42.4% of adults had obesity.

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Background

Consistent evidence indicates that preventing excess body weight and obesity reduces the risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal, breast (among women who have gone through menopause), uterine, esophageal, renal cell (kidney), liver, and pancreatic cancers.

Research has also identified an association between obesity and worse prognosis and outcomes among some cancer patients, particularly those with breast, prostate, liver, and colon cancer. Excess body weight is thought to contribute to as many as one in five cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Among children, obesity is linked to a higher risk for obesity, metabolic diseases, and other chronic diseases and conditions later in adulthood, including cancer risk.

While there is still much to be learned about the link between excess weight and cancer, people with overweight or obesity are encouraged to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Doing so has the potential to reduce both cancer- and non-cancer-related morbidity.

Measure

Adults: The percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with a healthy weight, overweight, or obesity. These weight groups are defined by BMI, which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For most adults, experts consider a BMI within the range of 18.5 to 24.9 as healthy weight, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 as overweight, and a BMI of 30 and above as having obesity.

Children and adolescents: The percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with a healthy weight, overweight, or obesity. These weight groups are defined by a measurement called the body mass index (BMI) z-score, which is calculated based on BMI sex- and age-specific percentiles (from the CDC Growth Charts). For most children, experts consider BMI-for-age percentiles between 5-84% as healthy weight, between 85-94% as overweight, and 95% or above as having obesity.

Healthy People 2030 Target

  • Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents with obesity to 15.5 percent.
  • Reduce the proportion of adults with obesity to 36.0 percent.

Healthy People 2030 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Note: Goals are indicated as blue line on Detailed Trend Graphs.

Data Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1971–2018.

Trends and Most Recent EstimatesHelp with navigating the graphs and data tables

Body Weight Comparison

Children and Adolescents
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with a healthy weight, overweight, or obesity, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with a healthy weight, overweight, or obesity, 1988-2018 Healthy WeightClick to see the detailed trend graph for Healthy Weight 60.8 58.5 - 63.1
OverweightClick to see the detailed trend graph for Overweight 15.9 14.2 - 17.6
ObesityClick to see the detailed trend graph for Obesity 19.4 17.4 - 21.4
Adults
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with a healthy weight, overweight, or obesity, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017.5)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with a healthy weight, overweight, or obesity, 1971-2018 Healthy WeightClick to see the detailed trend graph for Healthy Weight 24.9 22.4 - 27.3
OverweightClick to see the detailed trend graph for Overweight 31.2 29.1 - 33.3
ObesityClick to see the detailed trend graph for Obesity 42.4 39.0 - 45.8

Children and Adolescents, Healthy Weight

By Sex
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years at a healthy weight by sex, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years at a healthy weight by sex, 1988-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 60.8 58.5 - 63.1
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 59.9 56.6 - 63.2
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 61.6 58.5 - 64.6
By Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years at a healthy weight by race/ethnicity, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years at a healthy weight by race/ethnicity, 1988-2018 All Races/EthnicitiesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races/Ethnicities 60.8 58.5 - 63.1
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 63.8 60.5 - 67.2
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 59.4 54.8 - 64.0
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 53.2 49.8 - 56.7
By Poverty Income Level
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years at a healthy weight by poverty status, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years at a healthy weight by poverty status, 1988-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 56.8 52.9 - 60.6
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 65.6 62.4 - 68.9

Children and Adolescents, Overweight

By Sex
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years who were overweight by sex, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years who were overweight by sex, 1988-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 15.9 14.2 - 17.6
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 14.3 11.7 - 16.9
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 17.5 15.3 - 19.7
By Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years who were overweight by race/ethnicity, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years who were overweight by race/ethnicity, 1988-2018 All Races/EthnicitiesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races/Ethnicities 15.9 14.2 - 17.6
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 15.8 13.5 - 18.1
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 13.8 11.1 - 16.5
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 18.3 14.4 - 22.2
By Poverty Income Level
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years who were overweight by poverty status, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years who were overweight by poverty status, 1988-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 16.6 13.4 - 19.8
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 15.2 13.2 - 17.3

Children and Adolescents, Obesity

By Sex
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with obesity by sex, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with obesity by sex, 1988-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 19.4 17.4 - 21.4
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 20.6 18.4 - 22.8
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 18.1 15.3 - 21.0
By Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1988-2018 All Races/EthnicitiesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races/Ethnicities 19.4 17.4 - 21.4
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 16.3 13.3 - 19.2
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 24.1 20.1 - 28.1
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 25.7 21.9 - 29.5
By Poverty Income Level
Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with obesity by poverty status, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of children and adolescents 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years with obesity by poverty status, 1988-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 23.7 20.8 - 26.6
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 14.4 12.2 - 16.6

Adults, Healthy Weight

By Sex
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older at a healthy weight by sex, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older at a healthy weight by sex, 1971-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 24.9 22.4 - 27.3
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 21.3 18.0 - 24.6
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 28.4 25.4 - 31.4
By Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older at a healthy weight by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older at a healthy weight by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018 All RacesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races 24.9 22.4 - 27.3
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 27.0 23.4 - 30.5
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 22.2 19.6 - 24.8
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 16.1 14.0 - 18.1
By Poverty Income Level
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older at a healthy weight by poverty status, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older at a healthy weight by poverty status, 1971-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 24.1 20.9 - 27.4
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 24.5 21.4 - 27.5
By Education Level
Percentage of adults aged 25 years and older at a healthy weight by highest level of education obtained, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 25 years and older at a healthy weight by highest level of education obtained, 1988-2018 Less than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Less than High School 22.5 19.3 - 25.6
High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for High School 20.1 17.4 - 22.7
Greater than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Greater than High School 24.9 22.1 - 27.8

Adults, Overweight

By Sex
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight by sex, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight by sex, 1971-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 31.2 29.1 - 33.3
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 34.6 31.0 - 38.2
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 28.0 26.2 - 29.8
By Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018 All RacesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races 31.2 29.1 - 33.3
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 29.0 25.8 - 32.3
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 26.8 23.8 - 29.9
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 39.2 36.3 - 42.1
By Poverty Income Level
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight by poverty status, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight by poverty status, 1971-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 29.2 26.5 - 32.0
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 32.4 29.4 - 35.4
By Education Level
Percentage of adults aged 25 years and older who were overweight by highest level of education obtained, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 25 years and older who were overweight by highest level of education obtained, 1988-2018 Less than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Less than High School 33.8 28.8 - 38.9
High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for High School 29.3 26.3 - 32.4
Greater than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Greater than High School 32.7 29.8 - 35.7

Adults, Obesity

By Sex
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with obesity by sex, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with obesity by sex, 1971-2018 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 42.4 39.0 - 45.8
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 42.9 37.8 - 48.1
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 41.9 38.1 - 45.6
By Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018 All RacesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races 42.4 39.0 - 45.8
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 42.3 37.5 - 47.0
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 49.4 46.0 - 52.7
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 44.1 40.8 - 47.3
Males by Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of males aged 20 years and older with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of males aged 20 years and older with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018 All RacesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races 42.9 37.8 - 48.1
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 44.6 37.6 - 51.6
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 40.7 36.1 - 45.4
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 45.6 42.0 - 49.3
Females by Race/Ethnicity
Percentage of females aged 20 years and older with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of females aged 20 years and older with obesity by race/ethnicity, 1971-2018 All RacesClick to see the detailed trend graph for All Races 41.9 38.1 - 45.6
Non-Hispanic WhiteClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic White 39.9 34.5 - 45.4
Non-Hispanic BlackClick to see the detailed trend graph for Non-Hispanic Black 56.5 52.4 - 60.5
HispanicClick to see the detailed trend graph for Hispanic 42.3 38.4 - 46.1
By Poverty Income Level
Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with obesity by poverty status, 1971-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 20 years and older with obesity by poverty status, 1971-2018 < 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for < 200% of the federal poverty level 44.3 40.4 - 48.2
>= 200% of the federal poverty levelClick to see the detailed trend graph for >= 200% of the federal poverty level 42.1 38.0 - 46.2
By Education Level
Percentage of adults aged 25 years and older with obesity by highest level of education obtained, 1988-2018
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018)
Percent of adults 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of adults aged 25 years and older with obesity by highest level of education obtained, 1988-2018 Less than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Less than High School 42.8 37.8 - 47.8
High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for High School 48.7 44.6 - 52.9
Greater than High SchoolClick to see the detailed trend graph for Greater than High School 41.6 37.6 - 45.6

Additional Information on Weight

Year Range

1971-2018

Recent Summary Trend Year Range

2013-2018

Summary Tables

Weight and Physical Activity

Recent Summary Trend

Rising

Desired Direction

Falling