Prevalence of obesity among U.S. population aged 2–19 years from 1971 to 2018

Published by
John Elflein,
Jun 8, 2021
The prevalence of obesity among the U.S. population has risen gradually over the past few decades. From 2017 to 2018, around 19.3 percent of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years were obese. This statistic illustrates the prevalence of obesity among U.S. children and adolescents aged 2–19 years from 1971 to 2018.

Prevalence of obesity among U.S. children and adolescents aged 2–19 years from 1971 to 2018*

CharacteristicPercentage of population
2017–2018 19.3%
2015–2016 18.5%
2013–2014 17.2%
2011–2012 16.9%
2009–2010 16.9%
2007–2008 16.8%
2005–2006 15.4%
2003–2004 17.1%
2001–2002 15.4%
1999–2000 13.9%
1988–1994 10%
1976-1980 5.5%
1971-1974 5.2%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (13 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of population5.2%5.2%5.5%5.5%10%10%13.9%13.9%15.4%15.4%17.1%17.1%15.4%15.4%16.8%16.8%16.9%16.9%16.9%16.9%17.2%17.2%18.5%18.5%19.3%19.3%1971-19741976-19801988–19941999–20002001–20022003–20042005–20062007–20082009–20102011–20122013–20142015–20162017–2018
0%5%10%15%20%25%

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Release date

January 2021

Region

United States

Survey time period

From 1971 to 2018

Age group

2-19 years

Method of interview

Face-to-face interview

Supplementary notes

* Overweight is body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile from the sex-specific BMI-for-age 2000 CDC Growth Charts. Obesity is BMI at or above the 95th percentile. Severe obesity is BMI at or above 120% of the 95th percentile.

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