Weight and Physical Activity - Prevention Summary Table

Only one measure per topic is displayed in the summary table. A complete set of measures, where they exist, can be found by following the More Information link in the table below.

Legend:
green line green - headed in the right direction
red line red - headed in the wrong direction
black line black - stable or non-significant change (NSC)
purple purple - indeterminate
blue blue - Healthy People 2030 target
Measure Name Weight Physical Activity
Year Range 1971-2018 1997-2018
Measure

The percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. These weight groups are defined by a measurement called body mass index (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 to be healthy, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 to be overweight, and a BMI of 30 and over to be obese.

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported no leisure-time physical activity during the past month and percentage of adults who meet both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines.
Recent Summary Trend Rising Falling
Recent Summary Trend Year Range 2013-2018 2014-2018
Desired Direction Falling Falling
Summary Graph Summary graph for Weight, Click to see detailed view of graph Summary graph for Physical Activity, Click to see detailed view of graph
Trends and Most Recent Estimates During 2017 to 2018, 24.9% percent of adults aged 20 years and older were at a healthy weight, 31.2% percent were overweight, and 42.4% percent were obese. In 2018, 25.4% of adults 18 and older reported no physical activity in their leisure time.
Healthy People 2030 Target Decrease to 36.0% percent the proportion of obese adults. Reduce to 21.2% the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity.
More Information Weight Physical Activity
Last Updated July 2021 July 2021
Measure Name: Weight
Measure Name Weight
Year Range 1971-2018
Measure

The percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. These weight groups are defined by a measurement called body mass index (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 to be healthy, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 to be overweight, and a BMI of 30 and over to be obese.
Recent Summary Trend Rising
Recent Summary Trend Year Range 2013-2018
Desired Direction Falling
Summary Graph Summary graph for Weight, Click to see detailed view of graph
Trends and Most Recent Estimates During 2017 to 2018, 24.9% percent of adults aged 20 years and older were at a healthy weight, 31.2% percent were overweight, and 42.4% percent were obese.
Healthy People 2020 Target Decrease to 36.0% percent the proportion of obese adults.
More Information Weight
Measure Name: Physical Activity
Measure Name Physical Activity
Year Range 1997-2018
Measure

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported no leisure-time physical activity during the past month and percentage of adults who meet both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines.
Recent Summary Trend Falling
Recent Summary Trend Year Range 2014-2018
Desired Direction Falling
Summary Graph Summary graph for Physical Activity, Click to see detailed view of graph
Trends and Most Recent Estimates In 2018, 25.4% of adults 18 and older reported no physical activity in their leisure time.
Healthy People 2020 Target Reduce to 21.2% the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity.
More Information Physical Activity