Childhood Obesity Facts

Overview

• Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents have obesity.
• Obesity affects some groups more than others, including Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children, adolescents, and children in lower-income families.
• Health care costs related to obesity are significant for both patients and the health system.

Prevalence of Childhood Obesity

• From 2017 to March 2020, the prevalence was 19.7%, impacting about 14.7 million U.S. youths aged 2-19 years.
• Childhood obesity is defined by a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex.

Groups Affected by Obesity

Age

• Obesity prevalence increases with age:
  • 12.7% in children 2-5 years old
  • 20.7% in children 6-11 years old
  • 22.2% in adolescents 12-19 years old

Race and Ethnicity

• Highest obesity prevalence among:
  • Hispanic children (26.2%)
  • Non-Hispanic Black children (24.8%)
  • Non-Hispanic White children (16.6%)
  • Non-Hispanic Asian children (9.0%)

Sex

• Among girls, highest prevalence in non-Hispanic Black girls (30.8%).
• Among boys, highest in Hispanic boys (29.3%).

Family Income

• Obesity prevalence increases as family income decreases:
  • 11.5% with income >350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
  • 21.2% with income 130%-350% of FPL
  • 25.8% with income <130% of FPL

Young Children

• The CDC collaborates with USDA to analyze data from the WIC program.

Economic Impact

• Estimated annual medical cost of obesity for U.S. children: $1.3 billion (2019 dollars).
• Medical costs for children with obesity are $116 higher per person per year, and $310 higher for those with severe obesity.

Related Information

• Adult Obesity Facts: Explore obesity data among U.S. adults.
• BMI in Children and Teens: Understanding BMI measurement and interpretation.
• Child and Teen BMI Calculator: Tool for calculating BMI for ages 2-19.

Communication Recommendations

• Use person-first language: "children with obesity" rather than "obese children".
• Resources on People-First Language and Weight Bias and Stigma.

References

• Stierman B, et al. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-March 2020.
• Ward ZJ, et al. Association of BMI with health care expenditures in the U.S.

Additional Resources

• CDC Obesity Page for further information on strategies and data.