what is the obesity rate in america

According to multiple sources, the obesity rate in America is high and has been increasing over the years. The latest data indicate that 39.6% of U.S. adults are obese, and another 31.6% are overweight. The US obesity prevalence was 41.9% in 2017 – March 2020, and from 1999 –2000 through 2017 –March 2020, US obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 41.9% . The U.S. adult obesity rate stands at 42.4%, the first time the national rate has passed the 40 percent mark, and further evidence of the country’s obesity crisis. Obesity rates are higher for Black and Hispanic women, for Hispanic men, in the South and Midwest, in nonmetropolitan counties, and tend to increase with age. Non-Hispanic Black adults had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanic adults, non-Hispanic White adults, and non-Hispanic Asian adults. All states and territories had an obesity prevalence higher than 20% (more than 1 in 5 adults), and 12 states have adult rates above 35% .