United States
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Actions
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Comorbidities
Health systems
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 5429 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5406 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5455 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016;315(21):2284-2291. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.6458. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5181 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2009-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5926 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES Survey - Published in Flegal KM, Carrolll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010. JAMA Published online January 17, 2012. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.39 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2007-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5555 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL and Curtin LR. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303 (3): 235 - 241. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2003-2004
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 4431 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA,Tabak CJ, & Flegal KM. (2006). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 295(13):1549 - 1555. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2003
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Notes: | 1999-2000, 2001-2, 2003-4 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2001-2002
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2000
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Notes: | 1999-2000, 2001-2, 2003-4 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1999-2000
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
Sample size: | 3601 |
References: | Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1999
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Notes: | 1999-2000, 2001-2, 2003-4 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1991
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Notes: | 1971-74 (marked as 1973), 1988-94 marked as 1991 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1988-1994
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1976
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Notes: | 1971-74 (marked as 1973), 1988-94 marked as 1991 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1973
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Notes: | 1971-74 (marked as 1973), 1988-94 marked as 1991 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1971-1974
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1960-1962
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1960
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-74 |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Notes: | 1971-74 (marked as 1973), 1988-94 marked as 1991 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2086 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2398 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 1927 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | Sample size based on 5-9yrs, 13-17yrs IOTF International Cut off |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-11 |
Sample size: | 1268 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA (2014)26;311(8):806-14. |
Notes: | 85th & 95th Centile CDC cut off |
Cutoffs: | CDC |
Children, 2009-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2435 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES IASO analysis |
Notes: | IOTF cut off (monthly) |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2003-2004
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-17 |
Sample size: | 2613 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Lobstein T, Jackson - Leach R. Child overweight and obesity in the USA: prevalence rates according to IOTF definitions. Int J Pediatr Obes. 2007;2(1):62-4. |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3. |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2001-2002
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-11 |
Sample size: | 4258 |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Notes: | Child Cut-Off: 85/95 Centile (see paper for further details) |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 1999-2000
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-11 |
Sample size: | 4018 |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Notes: | Cut-off point: 85/95 Centile (see paper for further details) |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 1988-1994
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-17 |
Sample size: | 6108 |
References: | Wang Y, Monteiro C, Popkin B. Trends of obesity and underweight in older children and adolescents in the United States, Brazil, China, and Russia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;75:971-7 |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1971-1974
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 6-17 |
Sample size: | 4471 |
References: | Wang Y, Monteiro C, Popkin B. Trends of obesity and underweight in older children and adolescents in the United States, Brazil, China, and Russia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002;75:971-7 |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off. Reference: Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: International survey. BMJ. 2000 May 6;320(7244):1240-3 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
% Adults living with obesity in the United States 1960-2017
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1988, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1999: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2000, 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2003: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA,Tabak CJ, & Flegal KM. (2006). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 295(13):1549 - 1555. 2007: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL and Curtin LR. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303 (3): 235 - 241. 2009: NHANES Survey - Published in Flegal KM, Carrolll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010. JAMA Published online January 17, 2012. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.39 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2013: Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016;315(21):2284-2291. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.6458. 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2017: Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1988, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1999: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2000, 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2003: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA,Tabak CJ, & Flegal KM. (2006). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 295(13):1549 - 1555. 2007: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL and Curtin LR. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303 (3): 235 - 241. 2009: NHANES Survey - Published in Flegal KM, Carrolll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010. JAMA Published online January 17, 2012. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.39 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2013: Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016;315(21):2284-2291. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.6458. 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2017: Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in the United States 1960-2017
Women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1988, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1999, 2000, 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2003: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA,Tabak CJ, & Flegal KM. (2006). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 295(13):1549 - 1555. 2007: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL and Curtin LR. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303 (3): 235 - 241. 2009: NHANES Survey - Published in Flegal KM, Carrolll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010. JAMA Published online January 17, 2012. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.39 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2013: Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016;315(21):2284-2291. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.6458. 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2017: Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1988, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1999, 2000, 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2003: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA,Tabak CJ, & Flegal KM. (2006). Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. The Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 295(13):1549 - 1555. 2007: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Ogden CL and Curtin LR. (2010). Prevalence and trends in obesity among US adults, 1999-2008. Journal of the American Medical Association, 303 (3): 235 - 241. 2009: NHANES Survey - Published in Flegal KM, Carrolll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of Obesity and Trends in the Distribution of Body Mass Index Among US Adults, 1999-2010. JAMA Published online January 17, 2012. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.39 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2013: Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL. Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016;315(21):2284-2291. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.6458. 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2017: Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with severe obesity in the United States 1960-1997
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 |
Notes: | 1971-74 (marked as 1973), 1988-94 marked as 1991 Aged 20-74 |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with severe obesity in the United States 1999-2003
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 |
Notes: | 1999-2000, 2001-2, 2003-4 Aged 20+ |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Children living with overweight or obesity in the United States 1999-2011
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1999, 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2011: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA (2014)26;311(8):806-14. |
Notes: | Aged 6-11 |
Definitions: | 85th & 95th Centile CDC cut off |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Children living with overweight or obesity in the United States 2009-2017
Boys
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2009: NHANES IASO analysis 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2017: Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | Aged 5-17 |
Definitions: | IOTF |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Girls
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 2009: NHANES IASO analysis 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2017: Reanalysis of NHANES 2017/18 by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | Aged 5-17 |
Definitions: | IOTF |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with obesity in selected countries in the Americas Region 1960-2018
Men
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1988: Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604 1992, 1994, 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1997: Filozof C, Gonzales C, Sereday M, Mazza C, Braguinsky J. Obesity prevalence and trends in Latin American countries. Obesity Reviews, 2001;2:99-196 1998: http://www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/rwns5.pdf; MEAN BMI Data DHS Survey 1999: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2000: Demographic Health Survey, Peru 2000 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2002: Monteiro CA, Conde WL and Popkin BA. (2007). Income-specific trends in obesity in Brazil: 1975 - 2003. American Journal of Public Health, 97 (10): 1808 - 1812. 2003: 2003 ENS Report. Final results on the National Health Survey. Http://epi.minsal.cl/epi/html/invest/ENS/informeFinalENS.pdf. 2005: Demographic Health Survey 2006. 2006: Olaiz-Fernández G, Rivera-Dommarco J, Shamah-Levy T, Rojas R, Villalpando-Hernández S, Hernández-Avila M, Sepúlveda-Amor J. Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006. Cuernavaca, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 2006. (National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006). 2007: DHS 2007 - 2008 2008: Ramirez-Zea M, Kroker-Lobos MF, Close-Fernandez R, Kanter R. The double burden of malnutrition in indigenous and nonindigenous Guatemalan populations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Dec;100(6):1644S-51S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.083857 2009, 2018: 1-4th Argentinian National Survey of Risk Factors (Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo). 4th (2018) Survey 2010: Demographic Health Survey 2010 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2012: Demographic Health Survey Haiti 2012 2013: DHS Peru 2013 2014: Demographic Health Survey, Guatemala 2014-15 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2016: Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Chile. 2016-2017 https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ENS-2016-17_PRIMEROS-RESULTADOS.pdf (Last accessed 04.08.20) 2017: Pickens, C. M., Flores-Ayala, R., Addo, O. Y., Whitehead, R. D., Jr, Palmieri, M., Ramirez-Zea, M., Hong, Y., & Jefferds, M. E. (2020). Prevalence and Predictors of High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age and Children Aged 10 to 14 Years in Guatemala. Preventing chronic disease, 17, E66. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.190403 2019: Bahamas STEPS Survey (Preliminary results) https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/891fac39-ad7d-4aa8-ac54-39912a1afcea/Preliminary+Factsheet+v7+%28med+resl%27n%29.pdf?MOD=AJPERES (Accessed 03.11.2020) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1988: Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604 1992, 1994, 1995: Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. EJCN (2000) 54;247-252 1997: Filozof C, Gonzales C, Sereday M, Mazza C, Braguinsky J. Obesity prevalence and trends in Latin American countries. Obesity Reviews, 2001;2:99-196 1998: http://www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/rwns5.pdf; MEAN BMI Data DHS Survey 1999: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ 2000: Demographic Health Survey, Peru 2000 2001: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2002: Monteiro CA, Conde WL and Popkin BA. (2007). Income-specific trends in obesity in Brazil: 1975 - 2003. American Journal of Public Health, 97 (10): 1808 - 1812. 2003: 2003 ENS Report. Final results on the National Health Survey. Http://epi.minsal.cl/epi/html/invest/ENS/informeFinalENS.pdf. 2005: Demographic Health Survey 2006. 2006: Olaiz-Fernández G, Rivera-Dommarco J, Shamah-Levy T, Rojas R, Villalpando-Hernández S, Hernández-Avila M, Sepúlveda-Amor J. Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2006. Cuernavaca, México: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, 2006. (National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006). 2007: DHS 2007 - 2008 2008: Ramirez-Zea M, Kroker-Lobos MF, Close-Fernandez R, Kanter R. The double burden of malnutrition in indigenous and nonindigenous Guatemalan populations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Dec;100(6):1644S-51S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.083857 2009, 2018: 1-4th Argentinian National Survey of Risk Factors (Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo). 4th (2018) Survey 2010: Demographic Health Survey 2010 2011: Ruopeng An, “Prevalence and Trends of Adult Obesity in the US, 1999–2012”, ISRN Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 185132, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/185132 2012: Demographic Health Survey Haiti 2012 2013: DHS Peru 2013 2014: Demographic Health Survey, Guatemala 2014-15 2015: NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 2016: Encuesta Nacional de Salud. Chile. 2016-2017 https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ENS-2016-17_PRIMEROS-RESULTADOS.pdf (Last accessed 04.08.20) 2017: Pickens, C. M., Flores-Ayala, R., Addo, O. Y., Whitehead, R. D., Jr, Palmieri, M., Ramirez-Zea, M., Hong, Y., & Jefferds, M. E. (2020). Prevalence and Predictors of High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age and Children Aged 10 to 14 Years in Guatemala. Preventing chronic disease, 17, E66. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.190403 2019: Bahamas STEPS Survey (Preliminary results) https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/891fac39-ad7d-4aa8-ac54-39912a1afcea/Preliminary+Factsheet+v7+%28med+resl%27n%29.pdf?MOD=AJPERES (Accessed 03.11.2020) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with obesity in selected countries worldwide 1976-2018
Men
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1981: Royal College of Physicians (1983). Obesity. Reprinted from the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London Vol 17 (No 1) January 1983 1982: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A, Esquivel M. The nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties:an overview. Public health Nutrition 2002:5(1A), 129-133 1985: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 Aug;29(8):916-24 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1988: Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604 1990: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 online published ahead of print. 1992: Uauy R, Albal C, Kain J. Obesity Trends in Latin America: Transiting from Under-to Overweight. Journal of Nutrition 2001;131:S893-S899 1993: Health Survey for England 1993. 1995: Health Survey for England 1995. 1996: Health Survey for England 1996. 1997: Health Survey for England 1997. 1998: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A and Esquivel M. (2002). The Nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties: an overview. Public Health Nutrition, 5 (1A): 129 - 133. 1999: Health Survey for England 1999. 2000: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2001: Health Survey for England 2001. 2002: Berg C, Rosengeren A, Aires N, Lappas G, Toren K, Thelle D and Lissner L. (2005). Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO, 29 (8): 916 - 924. 2003: Health Survey for England 2003. 2004: Health Survey for England 2004. 2005: Health Survey for England 2005. 2006: Health Survey for England 2006. 2007: Craig R and Shelton N. (2008). Health Survey for England 2007. Healthy Lifestyles: Knowledge, attitudes and Behaviour. Volume 1. The NHS Information Centre, Leeds. 2008: Health Survey for England 2008. 2009: Health Survey for England 2009 2010: Health Survey for England 2010 2011: Health Survey for England 2011 (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=10152&returnid=1685 last accessed 7th January 2013) 2012: Health survey for England 2012 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13219 2013: Health Survey for England 2013 2014: Health Survey for England 2014 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB19297 (last accessed 16th December 2015) 2015: Health Survey for England 2015. Available at: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=23711&returnid=1685 (last accessed 14th December 2016) 2016: Health Survey for England 2016. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30169 (last accessed 13 December 2017) 2017: Health Survey for England 2017 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 (last accessed 4.12.18) 2018: Health Survey for England 2018. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2018/health-survey-for-england-2018-data-tables (last accessed 03.012.19) 2019: Health Survey for England 2019 available at http://digital.nhs.uk/pubs/hse2019 (last accessed 16.12.20) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
References: | 1960, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1991: Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. International Journal of Obesity (1998);22:39-47 1975: Monteiro CA, Conde WL, Popking BM. Is obesity replacing or adding to undernutrition? Evidence from different social classes in Brazil. 2002. Public Health Nutrition:51(1A), 105-112 1981: Royal College of Physicians (1983). Obesity. Reprinted from the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London Vol 17 (No 1) January 1983 1982: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A, Esquivel M. The nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties:an overview. Public health Nutrition 2002:5(1A), 129-133 1985: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 Aug;29(8):916-24 1986: Yoshiike N, Seino F, Tajima S, Arai Y, Kawano M, Furuhata T, Inoue S. Twenty-year changes in the prevalence of overweight in Japanese adults: The National Nutrition Survey 1976-95. Obesity Reviews 2002;3:183-190 1988: Berrios X, Jadue I, Zenteno J, Ross MI, Rodriguez H. Prevalencia de factores de riesgo para enfermedades cronicas. Estudio de la poblacion general de la region Metropolitana, 1986-1987. Rev. Med. Chile. 1990;118:597-604 1990: Berg C, Rosengren A, Aires N, :appas G, Toren K, Thelle D, Lissner L. Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO 2005 online published ahead of print. 1992: Uauy R, Albal C, Kain J. Obesity Trends in Latin America: Transiting from Under-to Overweight. Journal of Nutrition 2001;131:S893-S899 1993: Health Survey for England 1993. 1995: Health Survey for England 1995. 1996: Health Survey for England 1996. 1997: Health Survey for England 1997. 1998: Rodriguez-Ojea A, Jimenez S, Berdasco A and Esquivel M. (2002). The Nutrition transition in Cuba in the nineties: an overview. Public Health Nutrition, 5 (1A): 129 - 133. 1999: Health Survey for England 1999. 2000: Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, McDowell MA, Tabak CJ, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA 2006;295(13):1549-1555 2001: Health Survey for England 2001. 2002: Berg C, Rosengeren A, Aires N, Lappas G, Toren K, Thelle D and Lissner L. (2005). Trends in overweight and obesity from 1985 to 2002 in Goteborg, West Sweden. IJO, 29 (8): 916 - 924. 2003: Health Survey for England 2003. 2004: Health Survey for England 2004. 2005: Health Survey for England 2005. 2006: Health Survey for England 2006. 2007: Craig R and Shelton N. (2008). Health Survey for England 2007. Healthy Lifestyles: Knowledge, attitudes and Behaviour. Volume 1. The NHS Information Centre, Leeds. 2008: Health Survey for England 2008. 2009: Health Survey for England 2009 2010: Health Survey for England 2010 2011: Health Survey for England 2011 (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=10152&returnid=1685 last accessed 7th January 2013) 2012: Health survey for England 2012 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13219 2013: Health Survey for England 2013 2014: Health Survey for England 2014 http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB19297 (last accessed 16th December 2015) 2015: Health Survey for England 2015. Available at: http://content.digital.nhs.uk/searchcatalogue?productid=23711&returnid=1685 (last accessed 14th December 2016) 2016: Health Survey for England 2016. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30169 (last accessed 13 December 2017) 2017: Health Survey for England 2017 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2017 (last accessed 4.12.18) 2018: Health Survey for England 2018. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-survey-for-england/2018/health-survey-for-england-2018-data-tables (last accessed 03.012.19) 2019: Health Survey for England 2019 available at http://digital.nhs.uk/pubs/hse2019 (last accessed 16.12.20) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Overweight/obesity by education
Men, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 5350 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 5350 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5202 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5202 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 9055 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 9055 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2007-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. |
Notes: | Age-adjusted estimates are adjusted using three age groups: 25-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years and over. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2007-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. |
Notes: | Age-adjusted estimates are adjusted using three age groups: 25-44 years, 45-64 years, and 65 years and over. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Boys, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2315 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Girls, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2315 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Boys, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-9 |
Sample size: | 1883 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off used 13-17yrs also available |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-9 |
Sample size: | 1883 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off used 13-17yrs also available |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 13-17 |
Sample size: | 1883 (5-9rs & 13-17yrs) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off used 5-9yrs also available |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 13-17 |
Sample size: | 1883 (5-9rs & 13-17yrs) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | IOTF Cut off used 5-9yrs also available |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2007-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-19 |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. |
Notes: | Obesity among children 2-19 years of age, by sex of child and education level of head of household. Obesity is body mass index (BMI) at or above the sex- and age-specific 95th percentile BMI cutoff points from the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma. |
Cutoffs: | CDC |
Girls, 2007-2010
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-19 |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. |
Notes: | Obesity among children 2-19 years of age, by sex of child and education level of head of household. Obesity is body mass index (BMI) at or above the sex- and age-specific 95th percentile BMI cutoff points from the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. GED is General Educational Development high school equivalency diploma. |
Cutoffs: | CDC |
Overweight/obesity by age
Adults, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 5432 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 5406 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of obesity among adults: United States, 2011–2012. NCHS data brief, no 131. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2013 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2011-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Flegal KM. Prevalence of obesity among adults and youth: United States, 2011–2014. NCHS data brief, no 219. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 2086 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 2088 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2011-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Flegal KM. Prevalence of obesity among adults and youth: United States, 2011–2014. NCHS data brief, no 219. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015 |
Notes: | Obesity in children is defined as a BMI of greater than or equal to the age- and sex-specific 95th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts. |
Cutoffs: | CDC |
Children, 2011-2012
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 3355 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. |
Notes: | Obesity is body mass index greater than or equal to the 95th percentile from the sex- and age-specific 2000 CDC Growth Charts. |
Cutoffs: | cdc |
Overweight/obesity by region
Adults, 2014
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Behavorial Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Found at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html (last accessed 20th April 2016) |
Notes: | NOT NHANES States N-Z (inclusive) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2014
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 18+ |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Behavorial Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC. Found at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html (last accessed 20th April 2016) |
Notes: | NOT NHANES States A - M (inclusive) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Boys, 1999-2006
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-19 |
Sample size: | 15479 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Liu J, Jones SJ, Sun H, et al. Diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors as risk factors for childhood obesity: An urban and rural comparison. Child Obes 2012;8:440–448 |
Notes: | Children were considered overweight and obese if their body mass index (BMI) was at or above the 85th percentile for age and gender according to growth charts from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Girls, 1999-2006
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-19 |
Sample size: | 15479 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Liu J, Jones SJ, Sun H, et al. Diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors as risk factors for childhood obesity: An urban and rural comparison. Child Obes 2012;8:440–448 |
Notes: | Children were considered overweight and obese if their body mass index (BMI) was at or above the 85th percentile for age and gender according to growth charts from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). |
Cutoffs: | Other |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Men, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 4638 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 4638 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 4904 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 4904 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-80 |
Sample size: | 9055 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | Total Household earnings per annum |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2013-2014
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20-80 |
Sample size: | 9055 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Data from NHANES 2013/14. Data reanalysed by Danielle Sharfman (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Rachel Jackson Leach on behalf of the World Obesity Federation |
Notes: | Total Household earnings per annum |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Men, 2005-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Lamb MM, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. Obesity and socioeconomic status in adults: United States 1988–1994 and 2005–2008. NCHS data brief no 50. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010 |
Notes: | Poverty income ratio (PIR): The ratio of household income to the poverty threshold after accounting for inflation and family size. In 2008, a PIR of 350% was equivalent to approximately $77,000 for a family of four; a PIR of 130% was equivalent to approximately $29,000 for a family of four. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2005-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Lamb MM, Carroll MD, Flegal KM. Obesity and socioeconomic status in adults: United States 1988–1994 and 2005–2008. NCHS data brief no 50. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010 |
Notes: | Poverty income ratio (PIR): The ratio of household income to the poverty threshold after accounting for inflation and family size. In 2008, a PIR of 350% was equivalent to approximately $77,000 for a family of four; a PIR of 130% was equivalent to approximately $29,000 for a family of four. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Boys, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 1852 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2017-2018
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 1852 (unweighted) |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2017/18 Reanalysis by Rachel Jackson Leach, Jaynaide Powis, World Obesity Federation, March 2020 |
Notes: | Weighted |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2208 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Girls, 2015-2016
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 5-17 |
Sample size: | 2208 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | NHANES 2015/16. Analysis conducted by the World Obesity Federation, Caroline Litts, Fiona Montague & R Jackson-Leach 2017 |
Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Boys, 2005-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-19 |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Lamb MM, Carroll MD, Flegal, KM. Obesity and socioeconomic status in children: United States 1988-1994 and 2005-2008. NCHS data brief no 51. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010 |
Notes: | Obesity defined as Body mass index (BMI) ≥ age- and sex-specific 95th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts. Poverty income ratio (PIR): In 2008, a PIR of 350% was equivalent to approximately $77,000 for a family of four; a PIR of 130% was equivalent to approximately $29,000 for a family of four. |
Cutoffs: | CDC |
Girls, 2005-2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 2-19 |
Sample size: | Large National Survey |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Ogden CL, Lamb MM, Carroll MD, Flegal, KM. Obesity and socioeconomic status in children: United States 1988-1994 and 2005-2008. NCHS data brief no 51. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010 |
Notes: | Obesity defined as Body mass index (BMI) ≥ age- and sex-specific 95th percentile of the 2000 CDC growth charts. Poverty income ratio (PIR): In 2008, a PIR of 350% was equivalent to approximately $77,000 for a family of four; a PIR of 130% was equivalent to approximately $29,000 for a family of four. |
Cutoffs: | CDC |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Children, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014-2019
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014-2019
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2017
References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Health systems
Health systems summary
Healthcare coverage in the USA is fragmented, with several public and private sources. Public coverage provided by the government include Medicare, a federal program for the disabled and adults over 64, and Medicaid, a means-tested insurance programme that provides free or low-cost care to those who do not have insurance through their employers or cannot afford insurance through the private market. There is also publicly provided military coverage. Publicly financed care is typically funded by a combination of taxation, premiums, federal revenues and co-payments. On the other hand, private sources of health coverage, which include employer-provided health insurance and private insurance, are funded by employers, employees and private spending.
Efforts have been made since the 2010 Affordable Care Act to reduce the number of underinsured and uninsured Americans. There is evidence that the expansion of Medicaid under the Act reduced the percentage of the population uninsured from 16% to 8% and has improved financial risk protection for the low-income population. The USA is an outlier among large, rich countries by not having universal healthcare.
Indicators
Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Some progress |
Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Some progress |
Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | Yes |
Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | Yes |
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | No |
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | No |
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | Yes |
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | Yes |
In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Out of pocket |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Stakeholders felt that obesity was not yet recognised as a disease, both at a government and a health provider level. It was recognised that there has been some progress - with the American Medical Association and numerous groups and government agencies recognising obesity as a disease - but not enough. There are still some state governments and insurers who explicitly consider obesity to not be a disease and it was noted that obesity is certainly not yet treated in the same way as other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Those living with obesity reportedly present to the system in primary care, but only when they have comorbidities. Despite this, stakeholders noted that obesity is rarely managed in primary care due to a lack of provider knowledge and poor reimbursement of treatment options. Instead, obesity medicine specialists were said to increasingly be the main source of care for people with obesity, a practice that is unsustainable. Stakeholders felt that people tended to leave the system because of lack of specialist referral and poor follow-up.
Once in the system, the type of treatment available to patients is highly dependent on type of health coverage the individual has and the state they live in. This results in great inequality and inequity in the accessibility of treatment. Medicare covers surgery if BMI criteria is met, but what Medicaid covers varies across states. Pharmacotherapy was said to be poorly covered across the board. As a result, many pay out of pocket for treatment across the country.
There are many guidelines and recommendations for treatment of obesity in adults and children. Examples include recommendations/guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and The Obesity Society. One stakeholder highlighted that the issue was not a lack of guidelines, but how existing guidelines could be met. Stakeholders felt that healthcare practitioners were generally not appropriately trained to manage people with obesity, with there being inadequate numbers of trained professionals in both urban and rural areas. There is training available through the America Board of Obesity Medicine, it was said that many have to self-fund. There is another certification by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for dietitians and other integrated health professionals.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 8 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020