Prevalence of Obesity in the U.S. Adult Population—An Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2003–2012
Authors: TOTH PETER P. , PALMER MICHAEL 
Published: June 2018

Obesity is associated with increased CV risk. Using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES; 2003-2012), we estimated frequency and prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults (≥20 years).

Participants in 5 NHANES surveys with fasting blood serum data (n=11,256) were pooled and categorized as overweight, obese, or morbidly obese (BMI 25-29.9, 30-39.9, or ≥40 kg/m2, respectively). Results are stratified by age, sex, and ethnicity. Extrapolations to the U.S. adult population were performed using the direct method to the 2011-2012 U.S. Census.

Proportion of U.S. adults categorized as ≥overweight is high, irrespective of age, sex, or ethnicity (Table). Obesity prevalence is high in adults aged 20-39 years (30% of men and 33% of women) and those aged ≥60 years (35% of men and 38% of women). In men, obesity/morbid obesity prevalence is similar between ethnic groups. However, non-Hispanic black women have a higher prevalence of obesity/morbid obesity than Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. Prevalence of ≥overweight is highest in Hispanic men and women aged ≥60 years, and non-Hispanic black women.

Estimated number and percentage of US adults categorized as overweight, obese, or morbidly obese, stratified by age, sex, and ethnicity (pooled data across five surveys from 2003–2012)BMI categoryMen (n=107.2 M)Women (n=116.8 M)Prevalence (n)Prevalence (n)Overweight/ obese/ morbidly obese (≥25 kg/m2)All73% (78.2 M)65% (76.0 M)EthnicityNon-Hispanic white74% (53.5 M)63% (48.2 M)Non-Hispanic black70% (7.9 M)82% (11.9 M)Hispanic78% (12.3 M)75% (12.1 M)Age (years)20–3965% (26.0 M)58% (23.7 M)40–5979% (32.6 M)68% (29.4 M)≥6075% (19.5 M)71% (23.2 M)Hispanic aged ≥60 years79% (1.5 M)83% (2.0 M)Obese/ morbidly obese (≥30 kg/m2)All34% (36.4 M)37% (43.2 M)EthnicityNon-Hispanic white35% (25.3 M)34% (26.0 M)Non-Hispanic black37% (4.2 M)58% (8.4 M)Hispanic35% (5.5 M)42% (6.8 M)Age (years)20–3930% (12.0 M)33% (13.5 M)40–5938% (15.7 M)39% (16.9 M)≥6036% (9.4 M)38% (12.4 M)Hispanic aged ≥60 years41% (0.8 M)45% (1.1 M)Morbidly obese (≥40 kg/m2)All5% (5.4 M)9% (10.5 M)EthnicityNon-Hispanic white5% (3.6 M)8% (6.1 M)Non-Hispanic black8% (0.9 M)17% (2.5 M)Hispanic4% (0.6 M)7% (1.1 M)Age (years)20–395% (2.0 M)8% (3.3 M)40–595% (2.1 M)10% (4.3 M)≥605% (1.3 M)7% (2.3 M)Hispanic aged ≥60 years4% (0.1 M)6% (0.1 M)

In the U.S. adult population, obesity levels remain high, irrespective of age, sex, and ethnicity. Overall, 73% of men and 65% of women were categorized as overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. There is a need for effective preventive interventions to reduce the burden of obesity.

Disclosure

P.P. Toth: Speaker's Bureau; Self; Amarin Corporation. Consultant; Self; Amarin Corporation. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Amgen Inc.. Consultant; Self; Amgen Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.. Consultant; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Consultant; Self; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Sanofi US, Novo Nordisk Inc. M. Palmer: Other Relationship; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH.