Obesity Prevalence Among U.S. Adults Level Off

NCHS has put out a report that presents national estimates of obesity among adults in the United States in 2011–2012, based on measured weight and height.

The health risks associated with obesity make reducing the high prevalence of obesity a public health priority. Previous publications have shown both racial and ethnic disparities in obesity prevalence and no change in the prevalence of obesity among adults since 2003–2004.

This report shows national obesity prevalence estimates for non-Hispanic Asian persons are possible for the first time, using newly available data.

Key Findings from the Report:

• More than one-third (34.9%) of adults were obese in 2011–2012.
• In 2011–2012, the prevalence of obesity was higher among middle-aged adults (39.5%) than among younger (30.3%) or older (35.4%) adults.
• The overall prevalence of obesity did not differ between men and women in 2011–2012. Among non-Hispanic black adults, however, 56.6% of women were obese compared with 37.1% of men.
• In 2011–2012, the prevalence of obesity was higher among non-Hispanic black (47.8%), Hispanic (42.5%), and non-Hispanic white (32.6%) adults than among non-Hispanic Asian adults (10.8%).
• The prevalence of obesity among adults did not change between 2009–2010 and 2011–2012.