Obesity Data

How Common It Is - Prevalence, Trends, and Disparities

Childhood Obesity

  • In 2016, about 12 percent of children (ages 2-4 years old and receiving WIC services) were obese.
  • In 2016, about 12 percent of 10th graders in Washington's public schools were obese.
  • Rates for 10th grade obesity rose significantly from 10 percent in 2014 to 12 percent in 2016 after several years of remaining the same. This recent uptick changes the trend from level to rising slowly since 2006.
  • Among 10th graders, American Indian/Alaska Native, black, Hispanic and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations continue to be at increased risk of overweight and obesity than whites or Asians (Table 1).

For more detailed information, see the Healthy Youth Survey website

Adult Obesity

  • In 2016, about 29 percent of Washington adults were obese.
  • Adult obesity trends have started to level off over the past few years, however between 2014 and 2016 there was a significant increase from 26 percent to 29 percent.
  • Obesity rates were higher in populations with lower income (Table 2) and lower education (Table 3). Among adults:
    • American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations had the highest age adjusted rates of obesity.
    • Black and Hispanic adults had a higher rate of obesity than non-Hispanic whites and Asians (Table 4).
    • In the 2014-2016 BRFSS, males had a higher prevalence of obesity than females.
    • Obesity prevalence was lowest among young adults 18-24 years old.

For more detailed information, see CDC's web page: Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity: Data, Trends and Maps

Pre-pregnancy Obesity and Weight Gain during Pregnancy

  • Pre-pregnancy obesity and weight gain above the recommended range during pregnancy can increase health risks for mother and child.
  • In 2015, about 25% of women were obese prior to pregnancy in 2015. Approximately 48% of all women gained more weight than recommended during pregnancy.

For more information, see the Perinatal Indicators Report for Washington State


Table 1: Obesity among 10th graders by Race/Ethnicity
(Healthy Youth Survey, 2014 & 2016)
Race/Ethnicity Percent Margin of Error (+/-)
State 12 1
Asian 7 2
White 9 1
Hispanic 16 2
Black 13 3
Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islander 24 8
American Indian/Alaska Native 15 4

Return to Top


Table 2: Adult Obesity by Household Income
(Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014-2016)
Household Income Percent Margin of Error (+/-)
Less than $25,000 33 2
$25,000 to $49,999 31 2
$50,000 to $74,999 28 2
$75,000 or more 23 1

Return to Top


Table 3: Adult Obesity by Educational Level (age 25+)
(Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014-2016)
Educational Level Percent Margin of Error (+/-)
High School or Less 33 1
Some College 33 1
College Graduate or More 21 1

Return to Top


Table 4: Adult Obesity by Race/Ethnicity
(Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014-2016)
Race/Ethnicity Percent Margin of Error (+/-)
State 29 1
Asian 9 2
Non-Hispanic White 28 1
Hispanic 36 3
Black 35 4
American Indian/Alaska Native 33 6
Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islander 26 8