As of 2023, 34.1% of Maryland adults experience obesity
More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults have obesity
In the United States, some groups are more vulnerable than others, with non-Hispanic Black adults having the highest prevalence (49.9%) followed by Hispanic (45.6%), non-Hispanic White (41.4%), and non-Hispanic Asian (16.1%) adults.
In Maryland, non-Hispanic Black adults have the highest prevalence (42.5%) followed by Hispanic adults (35.7%), non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native Adults (1.9%), non-Hispanic White adults (31.1%), and non-Hispanic Asian Adults (14.3%).
Many individuals with obesity also have other critical chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Risk Factors for Obesity (CDC)
Lack of physical activity
Unhealthy food choices (including too many processed foods, too many sugar-sweetened beverages, foods with not enough fiber, and not enough fruits and vegetables
Not enough or poor quality sleep
Too much screen time (TV, computer, video games, cellphone, etc.)
Long term stress
Some health conditions may lead to excess weight gain, obesity, or insulin resistance.
Some medications may cause weight gain by disrupting the brain’s signal for hunger. Some of these medications can include:
Psychiatric medications (ex: antipsychotics or antidepressants)
Steroids
Certain hormonal birth control such as progestins
Anti-seizure or mood-stabilizing medications
Certain blood pressure and diabetes medications
Limited access to healthy and affordable food
Limited access to safe areas for physical activity
Limited access to childcare and supportive school environments
Unsafe housing and transportation
Childhood Obesity
1 in 5 children in the U.S. experience obesity
Like adults, children with obesity are also at risk for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Children with obesity are also likely to experience obesity as adults.
Fewer than 1 in 4 children receive enough aerobic physical activity.
From 2017 to March 2020, the prevalence of obesity in U.S. children and adolescents was 19.7%, or approximately 14.7 million youths between ages 2-19.
Some groups are more affected than others:
Age – From 2017 to March 2020, obesity prevalence was 12.7% for U.S. Children ages 2-5. 20.7% for those 6-11, and 22.2% for adolescents aged 12-19.
Race/Ethnicity – Obesity was highest in Hispanic children (26.2%) and non-Hispanic Black children (24.8%) followed by non-Hispanic white (16.6%) and non-Hispanic Asian (9.0%) children.
Sex – For U.S. girls, obesity was highest among non-Hispanic Black girls (30.8%). For U.S. boys, its prevalence was highest among Hispanic boys (29.3%).
Family Income – As family income decreased, obesity prevalence increased.
11.5% for U.S. Children w/ family income more than 350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
21.2% among children with family income 130% to 350% of the FPL
25.8% among children with family income 130% or less of the FPL.
What can you and Your Family do to Manage or Prevent Obesity?
