In 2022, over 33 percent of both men and women in the United States reported themselves as obese (BMI over 30), making it the country with the highest percentage of obese adults on this list. Other selected countries on the list with a high prevalence of obesity among adults included the United Kingdom and Australia. Obesity groups in the United States In 2022, Black adults had the highest overweight and obesity rates of any race or ethnicity in the United States. Asians and Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders had the lowest rates by far, with roughly 14 percent. In 2021, about 30 percent of people aged 65 and older were obese in the United States. This estimate has been steadily increasing since 2013 when roughly 27 percent of elderly Americans were obese. Leading health problems worldwide Obesity was considered one of 2023’s biggest health problems: 25 percent of adults worldwide stated that obesity was the biggest health issue for people within their country. Around 44 percent of adults stated that mental health was the most significant problem facing their country that year.

Approximately six percent of adolescents (10-19 years old) worldwide were obese in the year 2016, up from 2.4 percent in 2000. The statistic illustrates the percentage of people worldwide who were overweight and obese in 2000 and 2016, by age.

In 2020, around 42 percent of adults aged 20 years and older worldwide were considered overweight or obese. This statistic shows the percentage of adults aged 20 years and older who were overweight or obese worldwide in 2020 and forecasts for the years 2025, 2030, and 2035.

Nearly 39 percent of adults (18 years and older) worldwide were overweight as of 2019. The statistic illustrates the percentage of people worldwide who were overweight as of 2019, by age.

In 2020, around 2.2 billion adults aged 20 years and older worldwide were considered overweight or obese. This number is expected to increase to around 3.3 billion by the year 2035. This statistic shows the number of adults who were overweight or obese worldwide in 2020 and forecasts for the years 2025, 2030, and 2035.

As of 2016, the most overweight countries worldwide included Nauru, Palau, and the Cook Islands. As of that time, around 70 percent of the adult population in the United States was either overweight or obese. This statistic shows the countries with the highest share of the population that is overweight or obese as of 2016.

In 2021, around 16 percent of deaths in Bahrain were attributed to obesity, while around nine percent of deaths in the United States were attributed to obesity. This statistic shows the percentage of deaths in select countries worldwide that were attributed to obesity in 2021.

This statistic shows the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in OECD countries as of 2015. In Japan, less than four percent of adults were classified as obese. In comparison, the percentage for adults in the United States was about 38 percent.

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen gradually over the past decade. As of 2023, around 33 percent of the population aged 18 years and older was obese. Obesity is a growing problem in many parts of the world, but is particularly troubling in the United States. Obesity in the United States The states with the highest prevalence of obesity are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. As of 2023, a shocking 41 percent of the population in West Virginia were obese. The percentage of adults aged 65 years and older who are obese has grown in recent years, compounding health issues that develop with age. Health impacts of obesity Obesity is linked to several negative health impacts including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Unsurprisingly, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes has increased in the United States over the years. As of 2022, around 8.4 percent of the population had been diagnosed with diabetes. Some of the most common types of cancers caused by obesity include breast cancer in postmenopausal women, colon and rectum cancer, and corpus and uterus cancer.

In 2020, Tonga was the country with the highest share of women who were overweight or obese worldwide, with around 87 percent of women with a high body mass index (BMI). This statistic shows the countries with the highest share of women who were overweight or obese in 2020.

It is estimated that the number of children aged 5 to 19 years living with obesity worldwide will increase from 158 million in 2020 to 254 million by the year 2030. This statistic illustrates the predicted number of children with obesity worldwide in 2020, 2025, and 2030.

In 2020, the countries with the highest share of men who were overweight or obese were Tonga, Samoa, and the United States. At that time, around 80 percent of men in Tonga aged 20 years and older were overweight or obese. Men were considered overweight if they had a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25kg/m², and obese if they had a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m². Obesity among men Women tend to have higher rates of obesity than men, but worldwide rates have risen for both and are expected to climb in the coming years. In 2020, around 14 percent of men worldwide were obese, compared to 18 percent of women. The region of the Americas has the highest prevalence of obesity among men, but every region is expected to see increases in obesity among men over the next decade. In 2020, around 32 percent of men in the Americas were considered obese, with this rate expected to rise to 47 percent by 2035. Obesity raises the risk of developing a number of health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Obesity in the United States In 2023, almost 33 percent of adults in the United States were considered obese. This was an increase from 27.4 percent in the year 2011. Women in the United States have slightly higher rates of obesity than men, with 33.5 percent of women obese in 2023, compared to 32.1 percent of men. The states with the highest obesity rates are West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. In 2023, an astounding 41 percent of adults in West Virginia were obese. Unhealthy eating behaviors and a lack of physical exercise are the main drivers of obesity.

In 2020, around 37 percent of women aged 20 years and older in North, Central, and South America were considered obese. This share is expected to increase to around 49 percent by the year 2035. This statistic shows the percentage of women aged 20 years and older who were obese worldwide in 2020 and forecasts for the years 2025, 2030, and 2035.

In 2021, there were almost 221 deaths per 100,000 population in Egypt due to obesity, while the death rate for the United States was around 56 per 100,000 population. This statistic shows the rate of deaths attributed to obesity in select countries worldwide in 2021.

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 2020, the region of the Americas had the highest number of adults with obesity in the world, with approximately 246 million. The European region followed, with around 191 million obese adults. This statistic depicts the number of adults aged 20 years and older worldwide who were obese in 2020 and forecasts to 2035, by WHO region.

The prevalence of obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean is forecast to reach significant levels by 2035, with several countries attaining a prevalence of at least 40 percent among adults. In the Dominican Republic and Haiti, over half of the population could be affected. Even in countries with lower rates, at least a third of adults are expected to struggle with the condition.
Obesity and its impact on health
Obesity is associated with a range of diseases and medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. In Brazil alone, an estimated 16 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, resulting in yearly health expenses surpassing 40 billion U.S. dollars. If not treated, diabetes can result in additional health complications such as eye problems and cardiovascular conditions. Keeping a healthy diet Among other genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic causes, obesity is known to be strongly influenced by what people eat. In Latin America, the cost of a healthy diet has been constantly increasing in recent years, risking higher prevalence rates of the disease. Availability of unhealthy foods and a lack of time for preparing meals also discourage people from maintaining a healthy diet, resulting in the consumption of indulgent foods, snacks, and highly caloric beverages.

As of 2022, in nearly every country in Europe, over half of adults were classed as overweight or obese. The highest rate was recorded in Romania with 67 percent of adults self-reporting as overweight or obese. In both Croatia and the United Kingdom, around 64 percent of adults had a BMI of over 25. Europe one of the worst affected regions Europe had the second-highest number of obese adults across the WHO regions, only behind the region of the Americas. Over 191 million adults aged 20 years were classed as obese in Europe in 2020. The number of obese adults in Europe was forecast to grow to 263 million by 2035. Problems also with childhood obesity In 2020, 89 million children in Europe were overweight, the highest across all continents. It was forecast with current trends that, by 2035, 125 million children would be overweight. A further 70 million children across the continent were classed as obese. Children that are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing numerous health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure.

The global share of the population with overweight in was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 1.9 percentage points. After the fifteenth consecutive increasing year, the overweight population share is estimated to reach 43.76 percent and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the share of the population with overweight of was continuously increasing over the past years.Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the share of the population with overweight in countries like Europe and Australia & Oceania.

In 2020, the European region had the highest number of overweight children in the world, with approximately 89 million overweight individuals. The Western Pacific region followed, with around 67 million overweight children. This statistic depicts the number of children under 20 years old worldwide who were overweight in 2020 and forecasts to 2035, by WHO region.