- Among Hispanic American women, 78.8 percent are overweight or obese, as compared to 64 percent of non-Hispanic white women.
- In 2018, Hispanic Americans were 1.2 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites.
- From 2013-2016, Hispanic children were 1.8 times more likely to be obese as compared to non-Hispanic white children.
- In 2018, Hispanic women were 20 percent more likely to be overweight as compared to non-Hispanic white women.
- People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, diabetes and LDL cholesterol – all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.1
- In 2017, Hispanic high school students were 50 percent more likely to be obese as compared to non-Hispanic white youth.
Age-adjusted percentage of persons 20 years of age and over who were overweight or obese, 2013-2016. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater) | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Men | 81.8 | 75.3 | 1.1 |
Women | 78.8 | 64.8 | 1.2 |
Total | 80.4 | 69.8 | 1.2 |
Source: CDC 2019. Health United States, 2018. Table 26.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus18.pdf [PDF | 1.56MB]
Age-adjusted percentage of overweight persons 20 years of age and over who were obese, 2013-2016. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater) | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Men | 40.4 | 37.0 | 1.1 |
Women | 48.9 | 37.9 | 1.3 |
Total | 44.8 | 37.4 | 1.2 |
Source: CDC 2019. Health United States, 2018. Table 26.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus18.pdf [PDF | 1.56MB]
Age-adjusted percentage of persons 18 years of age and over who were overweight but not obese, 2018. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater) | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Men | 41.4 | 40.0 | 1.0 |
Women | 31.4 | 27.7 | 1.1 |
Total | 36.2 | 33.9 | 1.1 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-15a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
Age-adjusted percentage of persons 18 years of age and over who were obese, 2018. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater) | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Men | 34.3 | 31.2 | 1.1 |
Women | 35.4 | 28.7 | 1.2 |
Total | 34.9 | 30.0 | 1.2 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-15a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
CHILDREN
Percentage of obesity among children and adolescents 6–11 years of age, 2013-2016 | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Females | 24.5 | 10.4 | 2.4 |
Males | 26.1 | 17.3 | 1.5 |
Total | 25.3 | 14.0 | 1.8 |
Source: CDC 2019. Health United States, 2018. Table 27.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus18.pdf [PDF | 1.56MB]
Percentage of obese children and adolescents 6-17 years of age. 2013-2016 | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
25.5 | 15.5 | 1.6 |
Source: Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. America's Children: Key National Indicators of well-Being. 2019. Table HEALTH7
https://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/tables/health7.asp
Percentage of children age 2-17 for whom a doctor or other health provider ever gave advice about the amount and kind of physical activity, United States, 2016 | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
49.9 | 47.5 | 1.1 |
Source: National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query: Table 7_2_1_6_1.2b [Accessed 03/03/2020]
https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/data/query
Percentage of children age 2-17 for whom a doctor or other health provider ever gave advice about eating healthy, United States, 2016 | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
63.9 | 63.7 | 1.0 |
Source: National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query: Table 7_2_1_8_1.2b [Accessed 03/03/2020]
https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/data/query
ADOLESCENTS
Percentage of high school students who were overweight, 2017 | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Females | 21.9 | 14.3 | 1.5 |
Males | 17.1 | 13.6 | 1.3 |
Total | 19.5 | 14.0 | 1.4 |
Source: CDC 2020. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data.
https://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. [Accessed 03/03/2020]
Percentage of high school students who were obese, 2017 | |||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio | |
Females | 14.0 | 10.3 | 1.4 |
Males | 22.2 | 14.8 | 1.5 |
Total | 18.2 | 12.5 | 1.5 |
Source: CDC 2020. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data.
https://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. [Accessed 03/03/2020]
HEALTH IMPACT OF OBESITY
Percentage of inactive physical activity among adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Did not meet federal physical activity guidelines) | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
49.5 | 38.9 | 1.3 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-14a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
Percentage of some leisure-time physical activity among adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Met aerobic guidelines only) | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
47.8 | 57.5 | 0.8 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-14a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
Percentage of regular leisure physical activity among adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Met federal physical activity guidelines) | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
21.6 | 25.8 | 0.8 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-14a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
Percentage of adults age 18 and over who were obese and were given advice to exercise more, United States, 2016 | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
63.0 | 62.1 | 1.0 |
Source: National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query: Table 7_2_1_5_1.2b [Accessed 03/03/2020]
https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/data/query
Percentage of adults age 18 and over who were obese and were given advice about eating fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods, United States, 2016 | ||
Hispanic | Non-Hispanic White | Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
52.1 | 46.5 | 1.1 |
Source: National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query: Table 7_2_1_7_1.2b [Accessed 03/03/2020]
https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/data/query
RISK FACTORS
Obesity is a risk factor for several diseases. For statistics on these related diseases, see:
Diabetes – See Diabetes and Hispanic Americans
Heart Disease – See Heart Disease and Hispanic Americans
Stroke – See Stroke and Hispanic Americans
1Source: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html