An official website of the United States government
On This Page:
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, or 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.
Data Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
The Cancer Trends Progress Report uses NHANES data through 2017-2018. The 2019-2020 cycle was not completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information is available at NHANES Questionnaires, Datasets, and Related Documentation.
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.
Trends and Most Recent Estimates
Body Weight Comparison
Children and Adolescents
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Healthy Weight |
60.8 | 58.5 - 63.1 |
Overweight |
15.9 | 14.2 - 17.6 | |
Obesity |
19.4 | 17.4 - 21.4 | |
Adults
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017.5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Healthy Weight |
24.9 | 22.4 - 27.3 |
Overweight |
31.2 | 29.1 - 33.3 | |
| Obesity |
42.4 | 39.0 - 45.8 | |
Children and Adolescents, Healthy Weight
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Both Sexes |
60.8 | 58.5 - 63.1 |
Male |
59.9 | 56.6 - 63.2 | |
Female |
61.6 | 58.5 - 64.6 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races/Ethnicities |
60.8 | 58.5 - 63.1 |
Non-Hispanic White |
63.8 | 60.5 - 67.2 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
59.4 | 54.8 - 64.0 | |
Hispanic |
53.2 | 49.8 - 56.7 | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
< 200% of the federal poverty level |
56.8 | 52.9 - 60.6 |
>= 200% of the federal poverty level |
65.6 | 62.4 - 68.9 | |
Children and Adolescents, Overweight
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Both Sexes |
15.9 | 14.2 - 17.6 |
Male |
14.3 | 11.7 - 16.9 | |
Female |
17.5 | 15.3 - 19.7 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races/Ethnicities |
15.9 | 14.2 - 17.6 |
Non-Hispanic White |
15.8 | 13.5 - 18.1 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
13.8 | 11.1 - 16.5 | |
Hispanic |
18.3 | 14.4 - 22.2 | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
< 200% of the federal poverty level |
16.6 | 13.4 - 19.8 |
>= 200% of the federal poverty level |
15.2 | 13.2 - 17.3 | |
Children and Adolescents, Obesity
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Both Sexes |
19.4 | 17.4 - 21.4 |
Male |
20.6 | 18.4 - 22.8 | |
Female |
18.1 | 15.3 - 21.0 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races/Ethnicities |
19.4 | 17.4 - 21.4 |
Non-Hispanic White |
16.3 | 13.3 - 19.2 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
24.1 | 20.1 - 28.1 | |
Hispanic |
25.7 | 21.9 - 29.5 | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of children and adolescents | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
< 200% of the federal poverty level |
23.7 | 20.8 - 26.6 |
>= 200% of the federal poverty level |
14.4 | 12.2 - 16.6 | |
Adults, Healthy Weight
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Both Sexes |
24.9 | 22.4 - 27.3 |
Male |
21.3 | 18.0 - 24.6 | |
Female |
28.4 | 25.4 - 31.4 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races |
24.9 | 22.4 - 27.3 |
Non-Hispanic White |
27.0 | 23.4 - 30.5 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
22.2 | 19.6 - 24.8 | |
Hispanic |
16.1 | 14.0 - 18.1 | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
< 200% of the federal poverty level |
24.1 | 20.9 - 27.4 |
>= 200% of the federal poverty level |
24.5 | 21.4 - 27.5 | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Less than High School |
22.5 | 19.3 - 25.6 |
High School |
20.1 | 17.4 - 22.7 | |
Greater than High School |
24.9 | 22.1 - 27.8 | |
Adults, Overweight
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Both Sexes |
31.2 | 29.1 - 33.3 |
Male |
34.6 | 31.0 - 38.2 | |
Female |
28.0 | 26.2 - 29.8 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races |
31.2 | 29.1 - 33.3 |
Non-Hispanic White |
29.0 | 25.8 - 32.3 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
26.8 | 23.8 - 29.9 | |
Hispanic |
39.2 | 36.3 - 42.1 | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
< 200% of the federal poverty level |
29.2 | 26.5 - 32.0 |
>= 200% of the federal poverty level |
32.4 | 29.4 - 35.4 | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Less than High School |
33.8 | 28.8 - 38.9 |
High School |
29.3 | 26.3 - 32.4 | |
Greater than High School |
32.7 | 29.8 - 35.7 | |
Adults, Obesity
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Both Sexes |
42.4 | 39.0 - 45.8 |
Male |
42.9 | 37.8 - 48.1 | |
Female |
41.9 | 38.1 - 45.6 | |
By Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races |
42.4 | 39.0 - 45.8 |
Non-Hispanic White |
42.3 | 37.5 - 47.0 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
49.4 | 46.0 - 52.7 | |
Hispanic |
44.1 | 40.8 - 47.3 | |
Males by Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races |
42.9 | 37.8 - 48.1 |
Non-Hispanic White |
44.6 | 37.6 - 51.6 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
40.7 | 36.1 - 45.4 | |
Hispanic |
45.6 | 42.0 - 49.3 | |
Females by Race/Ethnicity
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
All Races |
41.9 | 38.1 - 45.6 |
Non-Hispanic White |
39.9 | 34.5 - 45.4 | |
Non-Hispanic Black |
56.5 | 52.4 - 60.5 | |
Hispanic |
42.3 | 38.4 - 46.1 | |
By Poverty Income Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
< 200% of the federal poverty level |
44.3 | 40.4 - 48.2 |
>= 200% of the federal poverty level |
42.1 | 38.0 - 46.2 | |
By Education Level
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2017 to 2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of adults | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
 |
Less than High School |
42.8 | 37.8 - 47.8 |
High School |
48.7 | 44.6 - 52.9 | |
Greater than High School |
41.6 | 37.6 - 45.6 | |
Additional Information on Weight
- Obesity and Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- ACS Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity. American Cancer Society.
- Body Weight and Cancer Risk. American Cancer Society.
- Obesity and Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early.. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Overweight and Obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Body Mass Index Table. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
- Chartbook on Healthy Living. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
- Obesity Evidence-Based Programs Listing. National Cancer Institute.
- Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity Research. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
- Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Screening (June 2017). U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
- Weight Loss to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity and Mortality in Adults: Behavioral Interventions. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obesity. American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Diet, activity and cancer. World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.
- Body fatness and weight gain. World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research.
- Energy Balance and Body Fatness. World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.
- Advancing Measurement for Childhood Obesity Workshop Series. National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research.
- Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018. Hales CM, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. NCHS Data Brief, no 360. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.
- Body Fatness and Cancer — Viewpoint of the IARC Working Group. Lauby-Secretan B, Scoccianti C, Loomis D, et al. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(8):794-798.
- Obesity and cancer risk: Emerging biological mechanisms and perspectives. Avgerinos KI, Spyrou N, Mantzoros CS, Dalamaga M. Metabolism. 2019; 92:121-135.
- Nutrition and physical activity cancer prevention guidelines, cancer risk, and mortality in the women’s health initiative. Thomson CA, McCullough ML, Wertheim BC, et al. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2014;1:42–53.
- 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report. Part F. Chapter 5. Cardiometabolic Health and Prevention of Weight Gain. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. F5-4 – F5-12.
- Obesity and Overweight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Overweight and Obesity: Data and Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Year Range
1971-2018
Recent Summary Trend Year Range
2013-2018
Recent Summary Trend
Rising
Desired Direction
Falling
Summary Tables
Weight, Sleep, and Physical Activity