A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that nearly 40 percent of American adults were obese with body mass index (BMI) of over 30 in 2015 and 2016. During the same period data indicate that 7.7 percent of American adults were severely obese with BMI over 40.

The authors analyzed data from 27 449 adults and 16875 youths. Age-standardized prevalence of obesity among adults increased from 33.7% in 2007-2008 to 39.6%. Prevalence of obesity increased in adult men and women aged 20 to 59 years. There was no significant linear trend among adults 60 years and older. Age-standardized prevalence of severe obesity in adults increased from 5.7% in 2007-2008 to 7.7%.  Among youth, obesity prevalence was 16.8% in 2007-2008 and 18.5% in 2015-2016.

In conclusion over the periods between 2007-2008 and 2015-2016, there was a sharp increasein obesity among American adultsfrom a decade earlier.  Severe obesity prevalence persisted among American adults, whereas there were no overall significant trends among youth.