US State-Level Prevalence of Adult Obesity by Race and Ethnicity From 1990 to 2022 and Forecasted to 2035

The prevalence of obesity in the US has risen steeply over the past decades, representing a large public health burden with substantial variation by population. There is a lack of detailed population-level estimates and projections of obesity necessary for informing health policy and reducing disparities.

To estimate US obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2022 and predict trends through 2035 by race and ethnicity, state, sex, and age (≥20 years). Design, Setting, and Participants: Analysis of measured body mass index data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and bias-corrected body mass index values calculated from self-reported height and weight data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Gallup Daily Survey using spatiotemporal gaussian process regression and an ensemble of annualized rate of change and meta-regression bayesian spline models. Surveys for input data were conducted using population-based sampling by state and by race and ethnicity group with a total of 11 315 421 US participants. Results are reported for Hispanic, any race; non-Hispanic Black; and non-Hispanic White populations. Main Outcomes and Measures: Obesity prevalence (BMI ≥30).