In 2023, Black adults had the highest obesity rates of any race or ethnicity in the United States, followed by American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hispanics. As of that time, around 42 percent of all Black adults were obese. Asians/Pacific Islanders had by far the lowest obesity rates. Obesity in the United States Obesity is a present and growing problem in the United States. An astonishing 33 percent of the adult population in the U.S. is now considered obese. Obesity rates can vary substantially by state, with around 41 percent of the adult population in West Virginia reportedly obese, compared to 25 percent of adults in Colorado. The states with the highest rates of obesity include West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Diabetes Being overweight and obese can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Being overweight or obese is one of the most common causes of type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin properly, causing blood sugar levels to rise. It is estimated that just over eight percent of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is now the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for three percent of all deaths.

In 2023, some 42 percent of the adult Black population in West Virginia were obese. Being obese tends to run within families and the likelihood for children to be overweight or obese increases if the parent has weight problems. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in West Virginia in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 43 percent of all Black adults in Virginia were obese. Children are often the principal target for fast food advertisements, which can influence their food choices and diet. Childhood obesity is an ever-increasing problem worldwide. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Virginia in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 36 percent of all adult Hispanics in Texas were obese. In the United States, processed foods are often cheaper than fresh foods, which can impact those with lower income and lead to more weight gain. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Texas in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 41 percent of all Black adults in Maryland were obese. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Maryland in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas are the U.S. states with the highest percentage of their population who are obese. The states with the lowest percentage of their population who are obese include Colorado, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. Obesity in the United States Obesity is a growing problem in many countries around the world, but the United States has the highest rate of obesity among all OECD countries. The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen steadily over the previous two decades, with no signs of declining. Obesity in the U.S. is more common among women than men, and overweight and obesity rates are higher among African Americans than any other race or ethnicity. Causes and health impacts Obesity is most commonly the result of a combination of poor diet, overeating, physical inactivity, and a genetic susceptibility. Obesity is associated with various negative health impacts, including an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and diabetes type 2. As of 2022, around 8.4 percent of the U.S. population had been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is currently the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.

In 2023, around 47 percent of all adult Hispanics in North Carolina were obese. Gaining weight occurs when a person intakes more energy in calories than one uses. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in North Carolina in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, some 43 percent of all Black adults in Georgia were obese. Childhood obesity in the United States is also on the rise, with affected children more likely to remain obese as adults. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Georgia in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 49 percent of all Black adults in Louisiana were obese. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Louisiana in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, some 13 percent of the white population in the District of Columbia was obese. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in the District of Columbia in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 27 percent of all white adults in Massachusetts were obese. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Massachusetts in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

About a fifth of Hispanic high school students in the United States were overweight between 2016 and 2017, making it the ethnic group with the highest percentage of overweight high school students. Female obesity rates were considerably higher than those of male students for the black and Hispanic groups during the measured period.

Overweight and obese U.S. adults

U.S. overweight rates in adults differed slightly from those of U.S. high school students in 2017. That year, the African American population had the highest overweight and obesity rates of any race or ethnicity, closely followed by American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hispanics. Over 73 percent of all African American adults in the country were either overweight or obese. In 2018, the highest rates of obesity among African Americans could be found in states, such as Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Overweight youth worldwide

Many children and adolescents in other countries, such as New Zealand, Greece, and Italy, also struggle with overweight and obesity. In New Zealand, for example, over forty percent of boys and girls, up to age 19, were overweight or obese in 2016. In the same year, less than ten percent of Indian children and teenagers were overweight.

In 2023, around 44 percent of all Black adults in Michigan were obese. Being obese can increase the likelihood of a plaque buildup within the arteries which can increase the chances of a stroke. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Michigan in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, some 48 percent of all Black adults in Mississippi were obese. Extra weight due to being obese can put extra strain on joints which can lead to osteoarthritis. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Mississippi in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 35 percent of all adult Hispanics in New Jersey were obese. Due to an increased risk in coronary heart disease, people that are obese are also more likely to experience heart failure. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in New Jersey in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, some 38 percent of the adult white population in Iowa was obese. Being obese increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and some cancers. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Iowa in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, it was estimated that around 37 percent of adults with an annual income of less than 15,000 U.S. dollars were obese, compared to 29 percent of those with an annual income of 75,000 dollars or more. This statistic shows the percentage of U.S. adults who were obese in 2023, by income.

In 2023, around 31 percent of all adult Hispanics in Colorado were obese. Being obese can be battled through healthy eating with increased fruit and vegetable consumption and limited intake of total fats and sugars. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Colorado in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 37 percent of all adult Hispanics in Nebraska were obese. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome occurs in some obese people, which leads to too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in the blood. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Nebraska in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 36 percent of white adults in Alabama were obese. Obesity can increase risk of developing many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Alabama in 2023, by race/ethnicity.