Individuals who are overweight or obese are at a heightened risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, elevated blood lipids, diabetes, and increased LDL cholesterol, all of which are significant contributors to heart disease and stroke.
- In 2023, non-Hispanic Black or African American students in grades 9–12 had the second highest obesity rates at 20.2%, compared to Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students at 38.0% and followed by Hispanic students at 19.5%.1
- Non-Hispanic Black or African American female students were 55% more likely to be obese than all female students.
- Non-Hispanic Black or African American male students were 8% more likely to be obese than all male students.
- In 2024, non-Hispanic Black or African American adults were 28% more likely to be obese than adults of the total population.2
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Adults
| Adults ages 18 and over who were obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 or greater), percentage, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 42.6 | 33.4 | 1.28 |
Children and adolescents
| Children ages 6–11 who were obese, percentage, 2015–2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio | |
| Boys | 18.3 | 20.9 | 0.88 |
| Girls | 27.2 | 17.1 | 1.59 |
| Both Sexes | 22.7 | 19.3 | 1.18 |
| Children ages 2–17 for whom a health provider within the past two years gave advice about the amount and kind of exercise, sports, or physically active hobbies they should have, percentage, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 28.4 | Not Reported | Not Reported |
| Children ages 2–17 for whom a health provider gave advice within the past 2 years about healthy eating, percentage, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 42.2 | Not Reported | Not Reported |
| Students in grades 9–12 who were overweight, percentage, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio | |
| Male | 13.7 | 15.2 | 0.90 |
| Female | 21.4 | 14.3 | 1.50 |
| Both Sexes | 17.5 | 14.7 | 1.19 |
| Students in grades 9–12 who were obese, percentage, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio | |
| Male | 19.7 | 18.2 | 1.08 |
| Female | 20.8 | 13.4 | 1.55 |
| Both Sexes | 20.2 | 15.9 | 1.27 |
Health impact of obesity
| Adults ages 18 and over who did not meet federal physical activity guidelines for either aerobic activity or muscle-strengthening, age-adjusted percentage, 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 50.3 | 42.3 | 1.19 |
| Adults ages 18 and over who were sufficiently active (met aerobic activity guidelines only), age-adjusted percentage, 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 45.8 | 54.2 | 0.85 |
| Adults ages 18 and over who met federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening, age-adjusted percentage, 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 20.0 | 24.1 | 0.83 |
| Adults ages 18 and over with obesity who had a physician office visit for counseling or education related to diet or nutrition, percentage, 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | Total Population | Non-Hispanic Black / Total Population Ratio |
| 27.7 | Not Reported | Not Reported |
1 CDC. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. High School Students Who Had Obesity, 2023. (Back to top)
2 CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. Interactive Summary Health Statistics for Adults. Percentage of obesity for adults aged 18 and over, United States, 2024. (Back to top)
Date Last Reviewed: October 2025