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Overweight and obesity statistics 2024

These obesity statistics help explain the obesity epidemic that affects 500 million adults worldwide
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By | Updated on Nov. 18, 2024 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Map of America with charts and graphs: Obesity Statistics

Key takeaways

  • Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excess body fat, which can lead to additional health issues and cause health problems on its own.

  • About 40% of U.S. adults have obesity.

  • About 20% of U.S. children ages 2–19 are living with obesity.

  • An estimated 25% of adults are predicted to be living with obesity by 2035, with a predicted global economic impact of more than $4.3 trillion per year.

  • Talk to your healthcare provider for more information and medical advice about weight management.

In this article:

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by having too much body fat, which can cause health problems and complications. Learning more about obesity is a helpful first step toward managing the condition and living a healthier life. Let’s take a look at some obesity statistics, ways to treat obesity, and how to help prevent it.  

What is obesity? 

Obesity is a medical condition that happens when someone has an excessive amount of body fat. Having too much body fat can increase the risk of health problems.

Healthcare providers can diagnose obesity based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference measurements, and other symptoms. BMI is calculated by taking a person’s body weight in kilograms and dividing it by their height squared (in meters). A BMI of 30 or higher often indicates obesity. Moreover, a waist measurement of 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men may also indicate obesity.

Treatment for obesity often involves exercise, new eating habits, nutritional supplementation, medication, and, in some cases, surgery.

How common is obesity? 

Obesity epidemic: How many people have obesity in the world?

Obesity doesn’t just affect people in the United States. People in many countries experience obesity, and it’s becoming a global epidemic. 

  • An estimated 1 in 8 adults (12.5%) in the world have obesity. (World Health Organization, 2024) 
  • If unaddressed, an estimated 1 in 4 (25%), or two billion adults, will be living with obesity by 2035. (World Obesity Federation, 2023) 
  • Almost 26% of adults in the United Kingdom are living with obesity. (UK Parliament, 2023) 

Obesity in America

  • Four out of every 10 U.S. adults have obesity. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024) 
  • Non-Hispanic Black women experience the highest rates of obesity in the United States, at 57%. (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2021) 
  • Some studies have found that obesity rates are higher for Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations than other U.S. ethnicities. (Harvard School of Public Health, 2020)
  • The South and the Midwest have the highest obesity prevalence, at 35% and 36%, respectively. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024) 
  • All U.S. states and territories have an obesity rate of at least 20%, which is about 1 in 5 adults. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)

Obesity statistics by sex

  • Overall, adult obesity rates are similar in men and women, with a prevalence of 39.2% in men and 41.3% in women. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)
  • In Africa, obesity is more common in women than men, with 74 million women and 27 million men predicted to have obesity by 2030. (World Obesity Federation)
  • The World Obesity Federation predicts that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will be living with obesity worldwide by 2030. 

Obesity statistics by age

  • In the United States, obesity is more prevalent among adults than youths. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)
  • Childhood obesity is rising globally, with 37 million overweight children under the age of 5. (World Health Organization, 2024) 
  • More than 390 million children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 years were overweight in 2022. This includes 160 million with obesity. (World Health Organization, 2024)
  • About 20% of U.S. children ages 2–19 are living with obesity. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024) 
  • Nearly 75% of overweight children worldwide live in Asia and Africa. (World Heart Federation)

Obesity and overall health

  • Obesity can affect someone’s quality of life and pose serious health risks, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024) 
  • Studies have estimated that excess weight is responsible for approximately 500,000 deaths each year in the United States. (The Lancet, 2022) 

RELATED: 9 things you can do to prevent cancer

The cost of obesity

  • The medical care costs of obesity are almost $173 billion per year in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024)  
  • People with obesity spend about $2,500 more on medical care for themselves than people of normal weight. (Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 2021)  
  • The global economic impact of overweight and obesity could be more than $4.3 trillion per year by 2035. (World Obesity Federation, 2023) 

Causes of obesity

Obesity is thought to be caused by a combination of physical, psychological, environmental, and genetic risk factors. Some diseases and medical conditions can also cause or contribute to obesity. 

Here are some of the leading causes of obesity: 

  • Lifestyle choices, including physical inactivity, smoking, and eating unhealthy, processed, and fried foods can lead to obesity. 
  • A family history of obesity could mean a person stores fat differently and metabolizes food slowly. Both of these factors can contribute to obesity.  
  • Social and economic problems shape our health habits. For example, kids who aren’t taught to eat healthily or exercise are more likely to have obesity. Some studies show that having a low income can contribute more to obesity because of a lack of resources to buy healthier foods.
  • Underlying medical conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing’s disease, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. See this list of medications that cause weight gain.

Obesity prevention

Preventing obesity involves a combination of many lifestyle factors, such as: 

  • Being physically active
  • Eating healthy foods 
  • Reducing stress
  • Limiting screen time
  • Eating healthy foods and avoiding processed foods
  • Having strong support and social group 

“Preventing obesity is a complex issue,” says Taylor Graber, MD, the owner of ASAP IVs. “Eating a well-balanced diet high in fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat protein, combined with ample cardiovascular exercise to maintain a calorie-neutral or calorie-deficit diet, is optimal.” In terms of exercise, experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults, which can be broken up into smaller pieces—for example, taking a brisk 30-minute walk five times per week. Also, strength training at least two days per week is recommended. 

Related: Can apple cider vinegar help with weight loss?

Many doctors like Dr. Graber are working with patients to help fight obesity, and there are countless organizations and institutions focused on preventing, treating, and raising awareness about obesity. Here are some organizations and institutions focused on obesity and overweight prevention: 

  • WeCan! launched a health education curriculum to teach children ages 2–5 about making healthy choices.
  • The World Obesity Federation established World Obesity Day in 2015 to recognize organizations around the world and increase awareness of the global obesity crisis.
  • The Obesity Action Coalition empowers those affected by obesity through education, advocacy, and support.

Obesity treatments

The right treatment for obesity depends on various factors specific to each individual, but it typically involves one or more of the following:

  • Lifestyle changes, including eating healthier and exercising
  • Medication (oral or injectable)
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Weight management programs
  • Gastric balloon systems  

Here are some well-known and commonly prescribed obesity medications: 

Ozempic and Mounjaro are injectable medications used for Type 2 diabetes that are often prescribed off-label for weight loss.

RELATED: Is phentermine for weight loss safe? | Compare Contrave vs. phentermine

The best way to learn more about obesity treatments and medications is to talk with your healthcare provider. They will be able to develop a treatment plan for you to help you reach a healthy weight.  

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Obesity FAQs

Why has obesity become so common?

According to UCLA Health, changes in diet may be to blame for obesity worldwide, as many low- and middle-income countries are changing their diets from historical and healthy whole foods to highly processed and animal-based foods.  

What percentage of Americans have obesity? 

About 40% of American adults have obesity. The prevalence is slightly higher in the 40–59 age group (46.4%) compared to the 20–39 age group (35.5%) and the 60 and older group (38.9%). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024) 

What are the states with the most obesity?

These 10 states have the highest prevalence of obesity, with rates over 35% (Statista, 2024): 

  • West Virginia (41.2%)
  • Mississippi (40.1%)
  • Arkansas (40%)
  • Louisiana (39.9%)
  • Alabama (39.2%)
  • Oklahoma (38.7%)
  • Indiana (37.8%)
  • Iowa (37.8%)
  • Tennessee (37.6%)
  • Nebraska (36.6%)

Does obesity cause other diseases?

Obesity can significantly increase the risk of developing certain medical conditions or diseases like: 

  • Certain types of cancer
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sleep apnea
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke 

RELATED: Reversing prediabetes with diet

Can certain medical conditions cause obesity?

Some medical conditions can contribute to or cause obesity, such as : 

  • Cushing’s disease
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Insulin resistance

How many people die of obesity?

Unfortunately, obesity can cause premature death, and although it’s difficult to know exactly how many people die of obesity, some studies estimate that excess weight is responsible for about 500,000 deaths every year in the United States. (The Lancet, 2022)  

 

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