40.3%
of U.S. adults had obesity
This age-adjusted estimate covers adults ages 20 and older during August 2021 through August 2023.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 508 (September 2024)
U.S. data reference
U.S. Weight Management Statistics: Adult Obesity & GLP-1 Use (2026)
A plain-language collection of current U.S. figures on adult obesity, weight management, and GLP-1 use. Every statistic links to a named, dated source so it can be checked and cited with confidence.
Last updated July 22, 2026
40.3%
U.S. adults with obesity
9.7%
U.S. adults with severe obesity
$173B
Direct annual medical costs
18%
Adults who had ever used a GLP-1 drug
How to use this page
Useful numbers deserve useful context.
These figures describe populations, not an individual person or a treatment recommendation. Survey periods and definitions differ by source, so the source date and context are included with every number.
For questions about medical weight management or prescription medicine, a qualified licensed healthcare professional can help interpret what applies to your health history.
Citable statistics
Adult obesity, care costs, and GLP-1 use
9.7%
of U.S. adults had severe obesity
The age-adjusted estimate for August 2021 through August 2023 is included within the overall obesity estimate.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics: adult weight-status trends (February 2026)
31.7%
of U.S. adults were in the overweight category
This age-adjusted estimate refers to adults ages 20 and older during August 2021 through August 2023.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics: adult weight-status trends (February 2026)
46.4%
of adults ages 40 to 59 had obesity
This was higher than the estimate for adults ages 20 to 39 (35.5%) and adults 60 and older (38.9%).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 508 (September 2024)
12.1% vs. 6.7%
severe-obesity prevalence for women and men
Among adults in the August 2021 through August 2023 survey, severe obesity was more common among women than men.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 508 (September 2024)
7.7% to 9.7%
increase in severe obesity over the last decade measured
The age-adjusted estimate rose from 2013 to 2014 to August 2021 through August 2023; the overall obesity trend did not change significantly over that period.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 508 (September 2024)
$173 billion
in direct annual medical costs
CDC reports that obesity accounted for nearly this amount in 2019 dollars.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adult Obesity Facts (May 2024)
$1,861
higher annual medical costs per adult
In 2019 dollars, this was the excess annual cost for adults with obesity compared with adults with healthy weight.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adult Obesity Facts (May 2024)
18%
of adults said they had ever taken a GLP-1 drug
KFF's November 2025 poll also found that 12% said they were currently taking one, while 56% of users said the drugs were difficult to afford.
Source: KFF Health Tracking Poll: prescription drug costs and GLP-1 use (November 2025)
Methodology and sources
Where the numbers come from.
This page uses published public-health surveillance, government summaries, and a nationally representative public-opinion poll. It does not combine figures from different studies into a new estimate. Numbers are updated when a key source publishes a newer relevant release.
- National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief No. 508 (September 2024)
- National Center for Health Statistics: adult weight-status trends (February 2026)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adult Obesity Facts (May 2024)
- KFF Health Tracking Poll: prescription drug costs and GLP-1 use (November 2025)
Cite this page
Anthony Colón, RN Wellness & Weight Loss. “U.S. Weight Management Statistics: Adult Obesity & GLP-1 Use (2026).” Updated July 22, 2026. Cite the relevant statistic using its section link above.
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