Overweight is body mass index (BMI) of 25.0–29.9 kg/m2, obesity is BMI at or above 30.0 kg/m2, and severe obesity is BMI at or above 40.0 kg/m. Normal weight is BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
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Share of U.S. adults who were obese from 1988 to 2018
The prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States has nearly doubled in the last three decades with 42 percent of adults obese in 2018.
This statistic presents the prevalence of obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 and over) among adults in the United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018.
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NCHS (NHANES), & CDC. (January 29, 2021). Prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 24, 2026, from /statistics/1241600/us-adults-obese-last-three-decades/
NCHS (NHANES), und CDC. "Prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018." Chart. January 29, 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 24, 2026. /statistics/1241600/us-adults-obese-last-three-decades/
NCHS (NHANES), CDC. (2021). Prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 24, 2026. /statistics/1241600/us-adults-obese-last-three-decades/
NCHS (NHANES), and CDC. "Prevalence of Obesity among Adults in The United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 29 Jan 2021, /statistics/1241600/us-adults-obese-last-three-decades/
NCHS (NHANES) & CDC, Prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/1241600/us-adults-obese-last-three-decades/ (last visited July 24, 2026)
Prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States from 1988-1994 to 2017-2018 [Graph], NCHS (NHANES), & CDC, January 29, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1241600/us-adults-obese-last-three-decades/