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 ** 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 ** percent of the adult population in the U.S. is now considered obese. Obesity rates can vary substantially by state, with around ** percent of the adult population in West Virginia reportedly obese, compared to ** 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 ***** percent of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for ***** percent of all deaths.

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 2024, just over ********* of the total adult population in the District of Columbia was obese. When broken down by race, almost ** percent of Black adults in the District of Columbia were obese in this year.

In 2023, around ** percent of the adult white population in Wisconsin were obese. Certain hormonal problems such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome and polycystic ovarian syndrome can lead to being obese. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Wisconsin in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around 39 percent of all Black adults in Washington were obese. Being obese can increase the risk of a variety of health problems including heart disease and diabetes. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in the State of Washington 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.

From 2017 to March 2020, the prevalence of severe obesity in the U.S. was highest among non-Hispanic blacks. This statistic shows the age-adjusted prevalence of severe obesity among U.S. adults aged 20 and over from 2017 to March 2020, 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 51 percent of Black adults in Arkansas were obese. Although once believed to be primarily a developed world issue, obesity is becoming more of a problem in developing nations as well. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Arkansas in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen gradually over the past decade. As of 2023, around ** 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 ** 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 *** 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 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.

In 2023, around ** percent of all adult Hispanics in Nevada were obese. Gallstones occur in the gallbladder and consist of mostly cholesterol. Those that are obese have an increased risk of developing this condition. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Nevada in 2023, by race/ethnicity

In 2023, some ** 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 2024, almost ** percent of 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.

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

In 2023, around ** percent of all adult Hispanics in New York were obese. Abnormal blood fat is often characteristic of many overweight and obese people which is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in New York in 2023, by race/ethnicity.

In 2023, around ** 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, around ** 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 ** percent of all adult Hispanics in Utah were obese. Those living in lower socio-economic groups have a tendency to buy more processed foods due to costs. This statistic depicts the obesity rates for adults in Utah in 2023, by race/ethnicity.