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

Published by
John Elflein,
Jun 8, 2021
The prevalence of being overweight among the U.S. population has risen gradually over the past few decades. From 2017 to 2018, around 16.1 percent of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years were overweight. This statistic illustrates the prevalence of being overweight among U.S. children and adolescents aged 2–19 years from 1971 to 2018.

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

CharacteristicPercentage of population
2017–2018 16.1%
2015–2016 16.6%
2013–2014 16.2%
2011–2012 14.9%
2009–2010 14.9%
2007–2008 14.8%
2005–2006 14.6%
2003–2004 16.5%
2001–2002 14.6%
1999–2000 14.2%
1988–1994 13%
1976-1980 9.2%
1971-1974 10.2%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (13 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of population10.2%10.2%9.2%9.2%13%13%14.2%14.2%14.6%14.6%16.5%16.5%14.6%14.6%14.8%14.8%14.9%14.9%14.9%14.9%16.2%16.2%16.6%16.6%16.1%16.1%1971-19741976-19801988–19941999–20002001–20022003–20042005–20062007–20082009–20102011–20122013–20142015–20162017–2018
0%2.5%5%7.5%10%12.5%15%17.5%20%

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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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