Overweight & Obesity Statistics | NIDDK
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This content describes the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States.
Defining Overweight and Obesity
A person whose weight is higher than what is considered as a normal weight adjusted for height is described as being overweight or having obesity.1
Fast Facts
According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013–20142,3,4,5
- More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight.
- More than 2 in 3 adults were considered to be overweight or have obesity.
- More than 1 in 3 adults were considered to have obesity.
- About 1 in 13 adults were considered to have extreme obesity.
- About 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered to have obesity.
Using Body Mass Index (BMI) to Estimate Overweight and Obesity
BMI is the tool most commonly used to estimate and screen for overweight and obesity in adults and children. BMI is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. For most people, BMI is related to the amount of fat in their bodies, which can raise the risk of many health problems. A health care professional can determine if a person’s health may be at risk because of his or her weight.
The tables below show BMI ranges for overweight and obesity.
Adults
| BMI of Adults Ages 20 and Older | |
|---|---|
| BMI | Classification |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25 to 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30+ | Obesity (including extreme obesity) |
| 40+ | Extreme obesity |
An online tool for gauging the BMIs of adults can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov
Children and Adolescents
| BMI of Children and Adolescents Ages 2 to 19 | |
|---|---|
| BMI | Classification |
| At or above the 85th percentile on the CDC growth charts | Overweight or obesity |
| At or above the 95th percentile on the CDC growth charts | Obesity (including extreme obesity) |
| At or above 120 percent of the 95th percentile on the CDC growth charts | Extreme obesity |
Children grow at different rates at different times, so it is not always easy to tell if a child is overweight. The CDC BMI growth charts are used to compare a child’s BMI with other children of the same sex and age. It is important that a child’s health care provider evaluates a child’s BMI, growth, and potential health risks due to excess body weight. An online tool for gauging the BMIs of children and teens can be found at: https://nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx
Causes and Health Consequences of Overweight and Obesity
Factors that may contribute to weight gain among adults and youth include genes, eating habits, physical inactivity, TV, computer, phone, and other screen time, sleep habits, medical conditions or medications, and where and how people live, including their access to healthy foods and safe places to be active.1,6
Overweight and obesity are risk factors for many health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, and gallstones, among other conditions.1,6,7
For more information on the causes and health consequences of overweight and obesity, please visit NIDDK’’s
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