ATLANTA – Data published Feb. 23 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 and over to be at an all-time high. The data show that 30.6 percent of US adults are obese, higher than, but not significantly different from 2014, when 29.9 percent of US adults were identified as obese.
The figures were derived from the National Health Interview Survey, which included household interviews conducted between January and September 2015. Within the scope of the survey, obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more. The measure published by the CDC was based on self-reported height and weight.
For both sexes combined, the prevalence of obesity was highest among adults aged 40-59, followed by adults 60 and over. Adults between the ages of 20 and 39 had the lowest prevalence of obesity.
For the 40-59 age group, the prevalence of obesity was higher among men than women.