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.
From 2015–2018, 80% of Hispanic women (age 20 and over) were overweight or obese compared to 66% of non-Hispanic white women.1
In 2018, Hispanic adults were 1.1 times more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white adults. Hispanic women were 20% more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white women. Hispanic men were 10% more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white men.1
From 2015–2018, Hispanic children (ages 6–11) were 1.7 times more likely than non-Hispanic white children to be obese.2
In 2021, Hispanic students in grades 9–12 were 50% more likely than their non-Hispanic white peers to be obese.3
Adults
Persons age 20 and over who were obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 or greater), age-adjusted percentage, 2015–2018.
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Male
44.3
41.3
1.1
Female
47.1
39.0
1.2
Both Sexes
45.7
40.2
1.1
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021. Health United States, 2019. Table 26.
Persons age 18 and over who were overweight but not obese (BMI of 25.0–30.0), age-adjusted percentage, 2018.
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Male
41.4
40.0
1.0
Female
31.4
27.7
1.1
Both Sexes
36.2
33.9
1.1
Source: CDC, 2019. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-15a.
Persons age 18 and over who were obese (BMI of 30.0 or greater), age-adjusted percentage, 2018
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Male
34.3
31.2
1.1
Female
35.4
28.7
1.2
Both Sexes
34.9
30.0
1.2
Source: CDC, 2019. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-15a
Children and Adolescents
Children ages 6–11 who were obese, percentage, 2015–2018
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Girls
25.6
12.6
2.0
Boys
27.5
18.3
1.5
Both Sexes
26.6
15.5
1.7
Source: CDC, 2021. Health United States, 2019. Table 27. Obesity in youth is defined as BMI at or above the sex- and age-specific 95th percentile of the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Charts.
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
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
38.9
39.9
1.0
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query. https://datatools.ahrq.gov/nhqdr
Children ages 2–17 for whom a health provider gave advice within the past 2 years about healthy eating, percentage, 2020
Students in grades 9–12 who were overweight, percentage, 2021
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Female
23.7
14.6
1.6
Male
18.2
14.5
1.3
Total
20.9
14.6
1.4
Source: CDC. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. United States 2021 Results. Overweight in youth is defined as at or above the 85th percentile but below the 95th percentile for body mass index, based on sex- and age-specific reference data from the 2000 CDC growth charts.
Students in grades 9–12 who were obese, percentage, 2021
Hispanic
Non-Hispanic White
Hispanic / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Female
17.4
10.6
1.6
Male
23.0
16.3
1.4
Total
20.2
13.7
1.5
Source: CDC. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. United States 2021 Results. Obesity in youth is defined as at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index, based on sex- and age-specific reference data from the 2000 CDC growth charts.
Health Impact of Obesity
Adults age 18 and over who did not meet federal physical activity guidelines for either aerobic activity or muscle-strengthening, age-adjusted percentage, 2018
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.
Adults age 18 and over who were sufficiently active (met aerobic activity guidelines only), age-adjusted percentage, 2018
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.
Adults age 18 and over who met federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening, age-adjusted percentage, 2018
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.
Adults age 18 and over with obesity who had a physician office visit for counseling or education related to diet or nutrition, percentage, 2018
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021. Health United States, 2019. Table 26. (Back to top)
2 CDC, 2021. Health United States, 2019. Table 27. Obesity in youth is defined as BMI at or above the sex- and age-specific 95th percentile of the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Charts. (Back to top)
3 CDC. High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. United States 2021 Results. Obesity in youth is defined as at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index, based on sex- and age-specific reference data from the 2000 CDC growth charts. (Back to top)
