NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 106 ■ September 2012

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

By 2050, the number of U.S. older adults, defined as persons aged 65 and over, 

is expected to more than double, rising from 40.2 million to 88.5 million (1). 

Both aging and obesity contribute to increased health care service use (2,3). 

Consequently, an increase in the proportion of older adults who are obese may 

compound health care spending. Given the demographic changes forecasted 

and the potential health care costs of obesity, it is important to track the 

prevalence of obesity among older adults (2,3). This report presents the most 

recent national estimates of obesity in older adults, by sex, age, race and 

ethnicity, and educational attainment, and examines changes in the prevalence 

of obesity between 1999 and 2010.

Keywords: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey • elderly

What was the prevalence of obesity among older adults in 

2007–2010?

About 35% of adults aged 65 and over were obese in 2007–2010, representing 

over 8 million adults aged 65‒74, and almost 5 million adults aged 75 and 

Key findings

Data from the National 

Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey, 

2007–2010

• More than one-third of older 

adults aged 65 and over were 

obese in 2007–2010.

• Obesity prevalence was 

higher among those aged 65‒74 

compared with those aged 

75 and over in both men and 

women.

• The prevalence of obesity 

in women aged 65–74 was 

higher than in women aged 

75 and over in all racial and 

ethnic groups except nonHispanic black women, where 

approximately one in two were 

obese among both age groups.

• Between 1999‒2002 and 

2007‒2010, the prevalence 

of obesity among older men 

increased.

Prevalence of Obesity Among Older Adults in the 

United States, 2007–2010

Tala H.I. Fakhouri, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D., M.R.P.; Margaret D. Carroll, M.S.P.H.; 

Brian K. Kit, M.D., M.P.H.; and Katherine M. Flegal, Ph.D.

Figure 1. Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 65 and over, by sex: United States, 

2007–2010 

1

Significantly different from 75 years and over.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2010. Percent

0

20

40

60

80

100

65–74 years 75 years and over 1 65 years and over

34.6 34.4 34.7

40.8 41.5 40.3

27.8 26.5 28.7

All Men Women
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 106 ■ September 2012

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over (data not shown). There was no difference in obesity prevalence between men and women 

(Figure 1). The prevalence of obesity among those aged 75 and over (27.8%) was lower than 

prevalence among those aged 65–74 (40.8%). The lower prevalence among those aged 75 and 

over compared with those aged 65–74 was observed in both men and women.

Were there differences in the prevalence of obesity among older adults by 

race and ethnicity?

There were no significant differences in obesity prevalence by race and ethnicity among men 

(Figure 2). However, the prevalence of obesity differed by race and ethnicity among women. 

Among women aged 65‒74, 53.9% of non-Hispanic black women were obese, compared with 

38.9% of non-Hispanic white women, but was not significantly different from Hispanic women 

(46.6%). Among women aged 75 and over, 49.4% of non-Hispanic black women were obese, 

30.2% of Hispanic women were obese, and 27.5% of non-Hispanic white women were obese.

Figure 2. Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 65 and over, by sex and race and ethnicity: United States, 2007–2010 

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white.

2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white and Hispanic.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2010. Percent

Men Women

43.9

40.2 38.3

26.4

30.6 27.9

38.9

1

53.9

46.6

27.5

2

49.4

30.2

Non-Hispanic White Non-Hispanic Black Hispanic

0

20

40

60

80

100

65–74 years 75 years and over 65–74 years 75 years and over
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Were there differences in the prevalence of obesity among older adults by 

educational attainment?

Although there were no significant linear trends in the prevalence of obesity among men aged 

65–74 by educational attainment, the prevalence of obesity was higher among those with some 

college compared with those with a college degree (Figure 3). There was a linear trend among 

women aged 65‒74: There was a decrease in obesity prevalence with increasing education. 

Almost one-half of those with less than a high school education were obese compared with about 

one-third of those with a college degree. No linear trends in obesity prevalence by educational 

attainment were observed in men or women aged 75 and over.

Figure 3. Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 65 and over, by sex and education: United States, 2007–2010 

1

Significant linear trend. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2010. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

65–74 years 75 years and over 1 65–74 years 75 years and over

Percent

Men Women

38.9

46.6 47.1

34.1

29.7

26.5 28.0

21.4

46.8

40.3 39.3

32.6 31.6

25.3

30.0 27.6

Less than high school High school graduate Some college College graduate
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Was there an increase in the prevalence of obesity among older adults 

between 1999 and 2010?

Over the time periods 1999–2002, 2003–2006, and 2007–2010, there was a linear increase in the 

prevalence of obesity among older men in both age groups (Figure 4). The prevalence of obesity 

among men aged 65‒74 increased from about 31.6% in 1999–2002 to 41.5% in 2007–2010. 

Among men aged 75 and over, the prevalence of obesity increased from 17.7% in 1999‒2002 to 

26.5% in 2007–2010. Among women, the change over the same time period was not statistically 

significant for either age group.

Figure 4. Trends in the prevalence of obesity among adults aged 65 and over, by sex: United States, 1999–2010 

1

Significant linear trend.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2010. Percent

Men1 Women

31.6 33.0

41.5

17.7

24.0 26.5

39.0 36.4

40.3

23.6 24.2

28.7

1999–2002 2003–2006 2007–2010

0

20

40

60

80

100

65–74 years 75 years and over 65–74 years 75 years and over
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Summary

In 2007–2010, more than one-third of older adults were obese, which corresponds to approximately 

13 million obese older adults. Obesity prevalence among women aged 65–74 was higher than in 

women aged 75 and over in all racial and ethnic groups except non-Hispanic black women.

The overall prevalence of obesity among older adults and the racial and ethnic patterns are similar 

to estimates previously reported for the entire adult population (4). Among older men, there were 

no differences between racial and ethnic groups in obesity prevalence. However, among older 

women, non-Hispanic black women had higher obesity prevalence than older, non-Hispanic white 

women. Although these same patterns have been shown among middle-aged women (4), the 

values are significantly lower among the oldest adults, those aged 75 and over.

Socioeconomic disparities in obesity prevalence, as measured by educational attainment, and 

which have been observed in women aged 20 and over, were also found among those aged 

65–74, but the relationship diminished and even disappeared in those aged 75 and over. Among 

all women there was a significant trend in lower obesity prevalence among those with the highest 

education (5). This was also true for women aged 65–74, but among women aged 75 and over, no 

difference was observed in obesity prevalence by educational attainment.

As Americans live longer and the age distribution shifts so that there are more older adults, the 

number of obese older adults could grow, even without an increase in obesity prevalence (1).

Definitions

Older adults: Persons aged 65 and over. This definition is adopted based on eligibility for 

Medicare benefits (6).

Obesity: Body mass index (BMI) is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters 

squared, rounded to one decimal place. Obesity in adults is defined as having a BMI greater than 

or equal to 30 (7).

Education: Level of education attained is classified based on self-report as less than high school, 

completed high school or general equivalency diploma (GED), some college, and college graduate.
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Data source and methods

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used for these analyses. 

NHANES is a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to monitor the health and nutritional status of the 

civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population. The survey combines both an in-home interview 

and a standardized physical examination at a mobile examination center. The weight and height 

data for this report were measured in the mobile examination center.

NHANES uses a complex, multistage, probability sampling design to select participants. 

The sample design includes oversampling to obtain reliable estimates of health and nutritional 

measures for population subgroups. NHANES public-use data files are released in 2-year cycles. 

To have sufficient sample sizes for estimates among adults aged 75 and over, two 2-year cycles 

(2007–2008 and 2009–2010) were combined for this report. In 2007–2008 and 2009–2010, 

non-Hispanic black and Hispanic persons, persons with low income, and those aged 60 and over 

were oversampled to obtain reliable estimates. Data were analyzed using sample weights to 

account for differential probabilities of selection, nonresponse, and noncoverage. The standard 

errors of the percentages were estimated using Taylor Series Linearization, a method that 

incorporates the sample design.

Estimates of the number of obese older adults were calculated using the average Current 

Population Survey totals for 2007–2008 and 2009–2010, which are available from 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/response_rates_CPS.htm.

Mean estimates for adults were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using two age 

groups: 64–74 and 75 and over. Differences between groups were evaluated using a t statistic at 

the p < 0.05 significance level with the appropriate degrees of freedom. All differences reported 

are statistically significant. To test for linear trends between education groups and over time, 

the null hypothesis of nonlinear trend was examined using orthogonal polynomials. Statistical 

analyses were conducted using the SAS System for Windows (release 9.2; SAS Institute Inc, 

Cary, N.C.) and SUDAAN (release 10.0; RTI International, Research Triangle Park, N.C.).

About the authors

Tala H.I. Fakhouri is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Surveillance, 

Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, and the Analysis Branch, Division of Health and 

Nutrition Examination Surveys (DHANES), NCHS, CDC. Cynthia L. Ogden, Margaret D. 

Carroll, and Brian K. Kit are with NCHS’ DHANES. Katherine M. Flegal is with NCHS’ Office 

of the Director.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 106 ■ September 2012

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References

1. Vincent GK, Velkoff VA. The next four decades, the older population in the United States: 

2010 to 2050. Current Population Reports P25–1138. Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. 

2010. Available from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p25-1138.pdf.

2. Decaria JE, Sharp C, Petrella RJ. Scoping review report: Obesity in older adults. Int J Obes 

(Lond) 36(9): 1141–50. 2012.

3. Lakdawalla DN, Goldman DP, Shang B. The health and cost consequences of obesity among 

the future elderly. Health Aff (Millwood) 24 Suppl 2:W5R30–41. 2005.

4. Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of obesity and trends in the 

distribution of body mass index among US adults, 1999–2010. JAMA 307(5):491–7. 2012.

5. Ogden CL, Lamb MM, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. Obesity and socioeconomic status in adults: 

United States, 2005–2008. NCHS data brief, no 50. 2010.

6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare. Eligibility Tool. 2012. 

Available from: http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility/Home.asp?dest=NAV|Home| 

GeneralEnrollment#TabTop.

7. National Institutes of Health. Clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and 

treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. The Evidence Report. Obes Res 6 Suppl 

2:51S–209S. 1998. Available from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_gdlns.pdf.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 106 ■ September 2012

Suggested citation

Fakhouri TH, Ogden CL, Carroll MD, et al. 

Prevalence of obesity among older adults in 

the United States, 2007–2010. NCHS data 

brief, no 106. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2012.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health and Nutrition

Examination Surveys

Clifford L. Johnson, M.S.P.H., Director

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