In 2021, over 30 percent of both men and women in the United States reported themselves as obese (BMI over 30), making it the country with the highest percentage of obese adults on this list. Other selected countries on the list with a high prevalence of obesity among adults included Iceland and Russia.
Obesity groups in the United States
In 2021, black adults had the highest overweight and obesity rates of any race or ethnicity in the United States, however, American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hispanics came in a close second and third. Asians and Pacific Islanders had the lowest rates by far, with roughly 13 percent. In 2020, about 29 percent of people aged 65 and older were obese in the United States. This estimate has been steadily increasing since 2013 when roughly 25 percent of elderly Americans were obese.
Leading health problems worldwide
Obesity was considered one of 2021’s biggest health problems: 19 percent of adults worldwide stated that obesity was the biggest health issue for people within their country. Over half of adults stated that COVID-19 was the most significant problem facing their country that year.
Prevalence of obesity among adults in selected countries as of 2021, or latest year available, by gender*
Characteristic
Men
Women
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
Release date represents date figures were accessed.
* Self-reported obesity. (This had a tendency to be lower than measured obesity levels)
** Non-OECD countries
According to WHO classification, adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30 are overweight, a BMI of over 30 is classed as obese. BMI is calculated as follows: Weight (kg)/height (m)²
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
OECD. (April 19, 2023). Prevalence of obesity among adults in selected countries as of 2021, or latest year available, by gender* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/236823/prevalence-of-obesity-among-adults-by-country/
OECD. "Prevalence of obesity among adults in selected countries as of 2021, or latest year available, by gender*." Chart. April 19, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/236823/prevalence-of-obesity-among-adults-by-country/
OECD. (2023). Prevalence of obesity among adults in selected countries as of 2021, or latest year available, by gender*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/236823/prevalence-of-obesity-among-adults-by-country/
OECD. "Prevalence of Obesity among Adults in Selected Countries as of 2021, or Latest Year Available, by Gender*." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/236823/prevalence-of-obesity-among-adults-by-country/
OECD, Prevalence of obesity among adults in selected countries as of 2021, or latest year available, by gender* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/236823/prevalence-of-obesity-among-adults-by-country/ (last visited July 21, 2024)
Prevalence of obesity among adults in selected countries as of 2021, or latest year available, by gender* [Graph], OECD, April 19, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/236823/prevalence-of-obesity-among-adults-by-country/