Status: Little or no detectable change
Most Recent Data:
19.7
percent
(2017-20)
Target:
15.5
percent
Desired Direction:
Decrease desired
Baseline:
17.8 percent of children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years had obesity in 2013-16
Obesity is common among children and adolescents in the United States across income levels. Childhood obesity is linked to a higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions. Additionally, childhood obesity puts people at higher risk for obesity later in life. Due to various social, environmental, and economic factors, children with lower incomes experience disproportionately higher rates of obesity than children from families with higher incomes. Evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies that address social, environmental, and behavioral factors for childhood obesity — and account for the unique needs of families with lower incomes — can help address this complex public health priority.
Disparities in obesity rates among children and adolescents by family income: Highest/lowest rate ‡
Disparities in obesity rates among children and adolescents by family income: All groups ‡
In 2017–2020, children and adolescents in families with an income of 400 percent or more of poverty guidelines had the lowest group rate of obesity (10.5 percent).
- The obesity rate among children and adolescents in families with an income between 200 and 399 percent of poverty guidelines (18.7 percent) was 77.6 percent higher than the lowest group rate.
- The obesity rate among children and adolescents in families with an income of less than 100 percent of poverty guidelines (24.9 percent) was more than twice the lowest group rate.
- The obesity rate among children and adolescents in families with an income between 100 and 199 percent of poverty guidelines (25.6 percent) was more than twice the lowest group rate.
