Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018

NCHS Data Brief, Number 360, February 2020

New Release on Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018

Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018

Key findings
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:

• In 2017–2018, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in adults was 42.4%, and there were no significant differences between men and women among all adults or by age group.
• The age-adjusted prevalence of severe obesity in adults was 9.2% and was higher in women than in men.
• Among adults, the prevalence of both obesity and severe obesity was highest in non-Hispanic black adults compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups.
• The prevalence of severe obesity was highest among adults aged 40–59 compared with other age groups.
• From 1999–2000 through 2017–2018, the prevalence of both obesity and severe obesity increased among adults.

Keywords

​body mass index (BMI), trends, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

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Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018