Obesity rates in the US remain high

For the report, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from August 2021 to August 2023 to estimate the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity. People who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 are considered to have obesity while those who have a BMI of 40 or higher have severe obesity.

Between August 2021 and August 2023, the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults was 40.3%, slightly lower than the 41.9% estimated between 2017 and 2020. However, the rate is still higher than it was a decade ago from 2013 to 2014 (37.7%). 

According to the report, there were no significant differences in obesity rates between men and women. The prevalence of obesity among men was 39.2%, and the prevalence of obesity among women was 41.3%.

However, there were differences between men and women when it came to severe obesity. Women were more likely to be severely obese (12.1%) compared to men (6.7%).

When it came to age, the prevalence of obesity was highest among those ages 40–59 at 46.4%. This pattern was observed in both men and women. The overall prevalence of severe obesity was also highest among those ages 40–59.

The researchers also found that the prevalence of obesity differed by education level. Individuals with a bachelor's degree or more had a lower obesity rate (31.6%) than those who had some college (45%) or a high school diploma or less (44.6%)

Commentary

According to John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital, "[w]hile there are some differences across demographics, this work really highlights that obesity is a broad health issue in the U.S. and that men, women, young and old are all affected."

"Comprehensive approaches are essential to support individuals and communities in achieving healthier lifestyles," he added.

Similarly, Karen Hacker, director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said the report highlights "the need for obesity prevention and treatment options, which start with building healthier communities where people of all ages have safe places for physical activity, and where health care and healthy food options are accessible and affordable for all."

"Obesity prevention at young ages is critical, because we know that children with obesity often become adults with obesity," Hacker said. "This is one of the reasons why we prioritize state and community investments in effective child care and family healthy weight programs."

Solveig Cunningham, a global health professor who specializes in obesity at Emory University, said the increase in severe obesity was "even more alarming" because it is "the level of obesity that's most highly associated with some of the highest levels of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and lower quality of life."

"It's really hard to get obesity to reverse at the individual level and at the population level," Cunningham said. "I guess it's not surprising that we're not seeing downward shifts in the prevalence of obesity."

Although there are new treatments for obesity, such as GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, Samuel Emmerich, a CDC public health officer who led the report, said it's still too soon to tell whether these medications will make a significant impact on the obesity epidemic.

"We simply can't see down to that detailed level to prescription medication use and compare that to changes in obesity prevalence," Emmerich said. "Hopefully that is something we can see in the future."

Advisory Board's weight-related resources

To help you address the growing use of weight management drugs, Advisory Board offers several resources:

This expert insight outlines the five biggest questions about weight management drugs and their answers. Similarly, this expert insight addresses what headlines get wrong about weight management drugs and what healthcare leaders should know instead.

Radio Advisory's Rachel Woods has also covered GLP-1 drugs on the podcast, discussing the potential future of these drugs and how they could help — or hurt — health systems' finances. Other useful resources include this expert insight on the five catalysts that will impact the future of obesity care and this research on four key elements of comprehensive obesity care.

Our weight management and obesity care resource library can also help leaders understand the current care landscape, manage innovations, and prepare for transformations in care. (Aleccia, Associated Press, 9/24; Impelli, Newsweek, 9/24; Kekatos, ABC News, 9/23; Emmerich et al., National Center for Health Statistics, accessed 9/24)