40.3%
of U.S. adults had obesity
This age-adjusted estimate covers adults age 20 and older during August 2021 through August 2023.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 2024 ↗Data reference
U.S. Adult Obesity Statistics: 2026 Reference Guide
Recent, citable U.S. statistics on adult obesity, severe obesity, state patterns, and health care costs. Last updated November 3, 2026.
This page summarizes population data. It is not medical advice, and population statistics cannot determine what care is appropriate for any one person.
9.7%
of U.S. adults had severe obesity
The age-adjusted estimate for severe obesity also covers adults age 20 and older during August 2021 through August 2023.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 2024 ↗72.4%
had overweight, including obesity
This estimate for adults age 20 and older uses National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from August 2021 through August 2023.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics FastStats, accessed November 2026 ↗42
areas reported prevalence of 35% or higher among adults ages 40–59
This 2025 state and territory result is based on self-reported height and weight from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026 ↗$1,861
higher annual medical cost per adult with obesity
The CDC reports this difference in 2019 dollars, compared with adults with healthy weight. It is a population-level estimate, not an individual cost prediction.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024 ↗$173B
in obesity-related medical expenditures
The CDC reports this national estimate in 2019 dollars. It describes health system spending, not an individual’s expected care cost.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024 ↗How to read these numbers
Different sources answer different questions.
The national prevalence estimates above come from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which uses measured height and weight. The state pattern uses the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a separate survey based on self-reported height and weight. The figures should not be treated as interchangeable.
Body mass index, or BMI, is used in these sources to classify obesity. It is a screening measure with limitations: it does not directly measure body fat or its distribution. The National Center for Health Statistics notes those limits in its report.
Methodology and sources
Where the data comes from
Every figure on this page is linked to its primary public-health source. Statistics are retained with their original reporting period and units so readers can cite them accurately.
- National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 508, published September 2024. National prevalence and severe-obesity estimates use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from August 2021 through August 2023.
- National Center for Health Statistics FastStats: Overweight Prevalence, accessed November 2026. The adult overweight estimate includes obesity.
- CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, updated 2026. State and territory estimates use the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and self-reported height and weight.
- CDC Adult Obesity Facts, updated May 14, 2024. Cost estimates are reported in 2019 dollars.
Cite this page
Melyndy Group. “U.S. Adult Obesity Statistics: 2026 Reference Guide.” Updated November 3, 2026. https://melyndygroup.com/obesity-statistics
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