40.3%
of U.S. adults had obesity
Measured among adults age 20 and older during August 2021 through August 2023.
Source: CDC, National Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyAugust 2021-August 2023
U.S. Reference Data
Obesity, diabetes, and GLP-1 statistics.
Key U.S. figures for writers, clinic teams, and researchers. Every statistic includes its source and reporting date.
Last updated October 2, 2026
At A Glance
A clearer picture of care demand.
Weight management sits at the intersection of chronic-disease care, access, and documentation. This page brings together recent public data on obesity, diabetes, and GLP-1 medication use in one stable reference. It is informational only and is not medical advice.
Population Data
Obesity and weight statistics
These figures use national CDC datasets and reporting. Obesity measures in these sources are based on body mass index, which has recognized limitations.
72.4%
of U.S. adults had overweight, including obesity
This is the CDC estimate for adults age 20 and older.
Source: CDC FastStatsAugust 2021-August 2023
9.4%
of U.S. adults had severe obesity
The unadjusted estimate was highest among adults ages 40 to 59.
Source: CDC, National Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyAugust 2021-August 2023
46.4%
of adults ages 40-59 had obesity
This age group had the highest reported prevalence among the three adult age groups measured.
Source: CDC, National Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyAugust 2021-August 2023
$173B
in direct annual medical costs was associated with adult obesity
The CDC reports this estimate in 2019 dollars.
Source: CDC, Consequences of Obesity2019 cost estimate
25%+
adult obesity prevalence in every reporting state and territory except D.C.
In the CDC’s 2025 maps, the District of Columbia was the sole reporting jurisdiction below 25%, at 24.2%.
Source: CDC, Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps2025 data, updated September 24, 2026
35.5%
adult obesity prevalence in the Midwest
The Midwest had the highest regional prevalence in the CDC’s 2025 reporting, followed by the South at 34.8%.
Source: CDC, Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps2025 data, updated September 24, 2026
38.1%
of adults without a high school diploma had obesity
In the same reporting, prevalence was 27.8% among college graduates.
Source: CDC, Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps2025 data, updated September 24, 2026
42
reporting areas had at least 35% obesity prevalence among adults ages 40-59
This includes 40 states and two territories in the CDC’s 2025 age-specific reporting.
Source: CDC, Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps2025 data, updated September 24, 2026
Care And Access
Diabetes and GLP-1 care statistics
These figures combine current CDC estimates with KFF survey findings on public use and affordability.
40.1M
people in the U.S. have diabetes
The CDC describes this as about 1 in every 8 people.
Source: CDC, A U.S. Report Card: DiabetesUpdated February 11, 2026
115.2M
U.S. adults have prediabetes
That is more than 2 in 5 adults.
Source: CDC, A U.S. Report Card: DiabetesUpdated February 11, 2026
8 in 10
adults with prediabetes do not know they have it
This is the CDC estimate reported with its current diabetes statistics.
Source: CDC, A U.S. Report Card: DiabetesUpdated February 11, 2026
18%
of adults said they had ever taken a GLP-1 medication
The KFF survey includes use for weight loss or chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
Source: KFF Health Tracking PollNovember 2025
12%
of adults said they were currently taking a GLP-1 medication
KFF reported this was up from 6% in its May 2024 survey.
Source: KFF Health Tracking PollNovember 2025
56%
of GLP-1 users said the medicines were difficult to afford
This included 55% of users who had health insurance.
Source: KFF Health Tracking PollNovember 2025
Methodology And Sources
How to use this page.
Each figure is taken directly from the named source and retains that source's reporting period. CDC figures are drawn from national surveillance, survey, and 2025 state-based reporting. GLP-1 use and affordability figures are self-reported responses from KFF's Health Tracking Poll.
Data is reviewed about monthly, or sooner when a key source publishes a material update. Source links lead to the original publisher so readers can review definitions, methods, and full context.
Cite This Page
Apex Lab USA. "U.S. Obesity, Diabetes, and GLP-1 Statistics (2026)." Updated October 2, 2026. https://apexlabusa.com/weight-management-statistics.