Obesity and Socioeconomic Status in Adults: United States, 2005–2008 // Products - Data Briefs - Number 50 - December 2010

NCHS Data Brief
Number 50, December 2010
Obesity and Socioeconomic Status in Adults: United States, 2005–2008


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* Key findings
* Among men, obesity prevalence is generally similar at all income levels, with a tendency to be slightly higher at higher income levels.
* Among women, obesity prevalence increases as income decreases.
* Most obese adults are not low income (below 130% of the poverty level).
* Among men, there is no significant trend between education level and obesity prevalence. Among women, obesity prevalence increases as education decreases.
* Between 1988–1994 and 2007–2008 the prevalence of obesity among adults increased at all income levels.
* Between 1988–1994 and 2007–2008 the prevalence of obesity among adults at all levels of education increased.


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Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D.; Molly M. Lamb, Ph.D.; Margaret D. Carroll, M.S.P.H.; and Katherine M. Flegal, Ph.D.


Key findings

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2008

* Among men, obesity prevalence is generally similar at all income levels, however, among non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American men those with higher income are more likely to be obese than those with low income.
* Higher income women are less likely to be obese than low income women, but most obese women are not low income.
* There is no significant trend between obesity and education among men. Among women, however, there is a trend, those with college degrees are less likely to be obese compared with less educated women.
* Between 1988–1994 and 2007–2008 the prevalence of obesity increased in adults at all income and education levels.

In 2007–2008 more than one-third of United States adults were obese (1). Obese individuals are at increased risk of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers, among other conditions (2). Some studies have shown a relationship between obesity prevalence and socioeconomic status measured as educational level or income (3,4). This data brief presents the most recent national data on obesity in United States adults and its association with poverty income ratio (PIR) and education level. Results are presented by sex and race and ethnicity.

Keywords: adults, obesity, income, education

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Products - Data Briefs - Number 50 - December 2010