This statistic depicts the average body mass index (BMI) of U.S. males aged 20 years and over from 1999 to 2016, by age. According to the data, the average male BMI for those aged 40-59 years was 28.3 in 1999-2000 and increased to 29.4 as of 2015-2016.

In 2022, men aged 55 to 64 years had an average body mass index (BMI) of 29 kg/m2 and women in the same age group had a BMI of 28.8 kg/m2, the highest mean BMI across all the age groups. Apart from individuals aged 16 to 24 years, every demographic in England had an average BMI which is classified as overweight.An increasing problem It is shown that the mean BMI of individuals for both men and women has been generally increasing year-on-year in England. The numbers show in England, as in the rest of the United Kingdom (UK), that the prevalence of obesity is an increasing health problem. The prevalence of obesity in women in England has increased by around nine percent since 2000, while for men the share of obesity has increased by six percent. Strain on the health service Being overweight increases the chances of developing serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancers. In the period 2019/20, England experienced over 10.7 thousand hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of obesity, whereas in 2002/03 this figure was only 1,275 admissions. Furthermore, the number of bariatric surgeries taking place in England, particularly among women, has significantly increased over the last fifteen years. In 2019/20, over 5.4 thousand bariatric surgery procedures were performed on women and approximately 1.3 thousand were carried out on men.

This table contains 27456 series, with data for years 2004 - 2015 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (11 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Prince Edward Island; Nova Scotia; ...); Age group (13 items: Total, 18 years and over; 18 to 34 years; 18 to 24 years; 18 to 19 years; ...); Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females); Measured adult body mass index (8 items: Total population for the variable measured adult body mass index; Underweight, measured adult body mass index under 18.50; Normal weight, measured adult body mass index 18.50 to 24.99; Overweight, measured adult body mass index 25.00 to 29.99; ...); Characteristics (8 items: Number of persons; Low 95% confidence interval, number of persons; High 95% confidence interval, number of persons; Coefficient of variation for number of persons; ...).

This statistic depicts the average body mass index (BMI) of U.S. females aged 20 years and over from 1999 to 2016, by age. According to the data, the average female BMI for those aged 40-59 years was 29 in 1999-2000 and increased to 30.4 as of 2015-2016.

This table contains 12672 series, with data for years 1994 - 1998 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (not all combinations are available): Geography (11 items: Canada; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Age group (8 items: Total; 20-64 years; 20-24 years; 25-34 years; 20-34 years ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females ...), Body mass index (BMI), International standard (6 items: Total population for the variable body mass index; Underweight - BMI under 18.5; Normal weight - BMI 18.5-24.9; Overweight - BMI 25.0-29.9 ...), Characteristics (8 items: Number of persons; High 95% confidence interval - number of persons; Coefficient of variation for number of persons; Low 95% confidence interval - number of persons ...).

According to a survey carried out in Ireland in 2022, 42 percent of 65 to 74 year olds were classed as overweight according to their BMI. A further 21 percent of people in this age group were classed as obese. Almost 30 percent of those aged between 55 and 64 years of age were obese in Ireland.

The age distribution of the body mass index reveals that weight increases hand in hand with age among the Italian population. In 2023, many Italians aged between 65 and 74 were overweight and obese. The age group with the largest share of normal weight people was the one including individuals who were 18 to 24 years old. However, this portion of the population was also the one with the highest incidence of underweight individuals. To put it in numbers, in 2023, 9.8 percent of Italians aged 18 to 24 were underweight. Prevalence of overweight and underweight Overall, the number of overweight individuals exceeded by far the number of people dealing with underweight. The number of overweight people in Italy increased from 16,642 in 2005 to 17,094 individuals in 2023. Furthermore, the number of underweight individuals peaked in 2023 as a result of a steadily increasing trend started in 2009.   Eating disorders Weight gain or loss is often caused by eating disorders. In 2017, the age group including people aged 20 to 29 years was the one with the highest incidence of both bulimia and anorexia nervosa.  

This table contains 429624 series, with data for years 2005 - 2005 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (160 items: Canada; Eastern Regional Integrated Health Authority; Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland and Labrador; Central Regional Integrated Health Authority; Newfoundland and Labrador ...) Age group (13 items: Total; 18 years and over; 18 to 34 years; 18 to 24 years; 18 to 19 years ...) Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...) Self-reported adult body mass index (BMI) (9 items: Total population for the variable self-reported adult body mass index; Normal weight; self-reported adult body mass index 18.50 to 24.99; Overweight; self-reported adult body mass index 25.00 to 29.99; Underweight; self-reported adult body mass index under 18.50 ...) Characteristics (8 items: Number of persons; Low 95% confidence interval; number of persons; Coefficient of variation for number of persons; High 95% confidence interval; number of persons ...).

Number of SD below or above the median BMI-for-age of the WHO Growth Standard

This table contains 2808 series, with data for years 2005 - 2005 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 items: Canada ...) Age group (13 items: Total; 18 years and over; 18 to 34 years; 18 to 19 years; 18 to 24 years ...) Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...) Measured adult body mass index (BMI) (9 items: Total population for the variable measured adult body mass index; Overweight; measured adult body mass index 25.00 to 29.99; Underweight; measured adult body mass index under 18.50; Normal weight; measured adult body mass index 18.50 to 24.99 ...) Characteristics (8 items: Number of persons; Low 95% confidence interval; number of persons; Coefficient of variation for number of persons; High 95% confidence interval; number of persons ...).

As per the results of a large scale survey in 2021, about 27 percent of teens below the age of 19 years were found to be underweight due to the lack of right nutrition intake. On the other hand, a majority of the respondents above 30 were overweight or obese.

The highest share of individuals in normal weight in Sweden in 2023 were in the age group from 16 to 29 years old, and reached 65 percent. Normal weight is defined as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. The lowest share of individuals of a normal weight was in the age group from 50 to 64 years old, where the share was 36.9 percent. This age group also had the highest share of individuals that were obese, reaching 21.4 percent.

The Student Weight Status Category Reporting System (SWSCR) collects weight status category data (underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese, based on BMI-for-age percentile) at school entry (pre-kindergarten or kindergarten) and in grades 2, 4, 7 and 10 for students attending all public schools outside of the five boroughs of New York City.The dataset includes separate estimates of the percent of students overweight, obese and overweight or obese for all reportable grades within the county and/or region and by grade groups (elementary and middle/high). Variables representing the number of students on which the percentages are based are also included.

For more information check out http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/obesity/, or go to the "About" tab.

This table contains 229248 series, with data for years 2000 - 2000 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (not all combinations are available): Geography (199 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services St. John's Region; Newfoundland and Labrador (Peer group H); Health and Community Services Eastern Region; Newfoundland and Labrador (Peer group D) ...), Age group (8 items: Total; 20-64 years; 20-34 years; 20-24 years; 25-34 years ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...), Body mass index (BMI), Canadian standard (6 items: Total population for the variable body mass index; Underweight - BMI under 20.0; Normal weight - BMI 20.0-24.9; Some excess weight - BMI 25.0-27.0 ...), Characteristics (8 items: Number of persons; High 95% confidence interval - number of persons; Coefficient of variation for number of persons; Low 95% confidence interval - number of persons ...).

This table contains 12672 series, with data for years 1994 - 1998 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (not all combinations are available): Geography (11 items: Canada; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Age group (8 items: Total; 20-64 years; 20-24 years; 25-34 years; 20-34 years ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females ...), Body mass index (BMI), International standard (6 items: Total population for the variable body mass index; Underweight - BMI under 18.5; Normal weight - BMI 18.5-24.9; Overweight - BMI 25.0-29.9 ...), Characteristics (8 items: Number of persons; High 95% confidence interval - number of persons; Coefficient of variation for number of persons; Low 95% confidence interval - number of persons ...).

​​Proportion of defined population with a body mass index (BMI) less than 2 standard deviations below the median, according to the WHO references for school-age children and adolescents​

Jamaica JM: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data was reported at 5.800 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.300 % for 2010. Jamaica JM: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 6.700 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2012, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.500 % in 2000 and a record low of 3.300 % in 2010. Jamaica JM: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jamaica – Table JM.World Bank: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight, male, is the percentage of boys under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations above the median for the international reference population of the corresponding age as established by the WHO's new child growth standards released in 2006.; ; World Health Organization, Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. Country-level data are unadjusted data from national surveys, and thus may not be comparable across countries.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Estimates of overweight children are also from national survey data. Once considered only a high-income economy problem, overweight children have become a growing concern in developing countries. Research shows an association between childhood obesity and a high prevalence of diabetes, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and psychosocial and orthopedic disorders (de Onis and Blössner 2003). Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties and increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Children in low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to inadequate nutrition before birth and in infancy and early childhood. Many of these children are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, calorie-dense, micronutrient-poor foods, which tend be lower in cost than more nutritious foods. These dietary patterns, in conjunction with low levels of physical activity, result in sharp increases in childhood obesity, while under-nutrition continues

Moldova MD: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data was reported at 6.000 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.900 % for 2005. Moldova MD: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 7.450 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2012, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.900 % in 2005 and a record low of 6.000 % in 2012. Moldova MD: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Moldova – Table MD.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight, male, is the percentage of boys under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations above the median for the international reference population of the corresponding age as established by the WHO's new child growth standards released in 2006.; ; World Health Organization, Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. Country-level data are unadjusted data from national surveys, and thus may not be comparable across countries.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Estimates of overweight children are also from national survey data. Once considered only a high-income economy problem, overweight children have become a growing concern in developing countries. Research shows an association between childhood obesity and a high prevalence of diabetes, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and psychosocial and orthopedic disorders (de Onis and Blössner 2003). Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties and increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Children in low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to inadequate nutrition before birth and in infancy and early childhood. Many of these children are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, calorie-dense, micronutrient-poor foods, which tend be lower in cost than more nutritious foods. These dietary patterns, in conjunction with low levels of physical activity, result in sharp increases in childhood obesity, while under-nutrition continues

Pooled analyses among whites and East Asians have demonstrated positive associations between all-cause mortality and body mass index (BMI), but studies of African Americans have yielded less consistent results. We examined the association between BMI and all-cause mortality in a sample of African Americans pooled from seven prospective cohort studies: NIH-AARP, 1995–2009; Adventist Health Study 2, 2002–2008; Black Women's Health Study, 1995–2009; Cancer Prevention Study II, 1982–2008; Multiethnic Cohort Study, 1993–2007; Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Screening Trial, 1993–2009; Southern Community Cohort Study, 2002–2009. 239,526 African Americans (including 100,175 never smokers without baseline heart disease, stroke, or cancer), age 30–104 (mean 52) and 71% female, were followed up to 26.5 years (mean 11.7). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality were derived from multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Among healthy, never smokers (11,386 deaths), HRs (CI) for BMI 25–27.4, 27.5–29.9, 30–34.9, 35–39.9, 40–49.9, and 50–60 kg/m2 were 1.02 (0.92–1.12), 1.06 (0.95–1.18), 1.32 (1.18–1.47), 1.54 (1.29–1.83), 1.93 (1.46–2.56), and 1.93 (0.80–4.69), respectively among men and 1.06 (0.99–1.15), 1.15 (1.06–1.25), 1.24 (1.15–1.34), 1.58 (1.43–1.74), 1.80 (1.60–2.02), and 2.31 (1.74–3.07) respectively among women (reference category 22.5–24.9). HRs were highest among those with the highest educational attainment, longest follow-up, and for cardiovascular disease mortality. Obesity was associated with a higher risk of mortality in African Americans, similar to that observed in pooled analyses of whites and East Asians. This study provides compelling evidence to support public health efforts to prevent excess weight gain and obesity in African Americans.

Abbreviations: BMI Body Mass Index; WC Waist circumference; WHtR Waist-to-height ratio; SF5 Sum of 5 skinfolds; SD Standard deviation.Sample size, mean, and standard deviation for body mass index [kg/m2], waist circumference [cm], waist-to-height ratio, and sum of 5 skinfolds [mm] for Canadian children and youth aged 6 to 19 years.