Obesity rates in the United States have surged dramatically since 1990, with Hispanic communities experiencing the most severe increases and facing projections of continued growth through 2035. The disparity reveals a troubling pattern of health inequity affecting racial and ethnic minority populations.
Between 1990 and 2022, obesity prevalence among Americans aged 20 and older jumped from 19.3% to 42.5%. However, this increase varied sharply across racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic females saw their obesity rates climb from 24.2% to 49.4%, while Hispanic males increased from 17.4% to 42.6%. Non-Hispanic Black males experienced the smallest increase among measured groups.
By 2035, researchers predict that 53.7% of Hispanic females and 47.5% of Hispanic males will live with obesity, compared to an overall national rate of 46.9%. Nicole DeCleene from the University of Washington and colleagues noted that younger age groups have shown substantial increases since 1990, representing an earlier onset of obesity that will compound health problems over lifetimes.
The research team emphasized that observed disparities stem from complex, interconnected causes. They wrote that these patterns result from “discrimination based on race and ethnicity group, food insecurity and differential access to healthy food, socioeconomic deprivation, and inequities in physical activity access due to neighborhood segregation and aspects of the built environment.”
Lower obesity rates at older ages likely reflect premature mortality among those living with obesity, the researchers noted. The study analyzed data from over 11 million participants across multiple national surveys, correcting for self-reporting bias to provide accurate prevalence estimates.
See: “Obesity Prevalence in US Increasing Drastically, Expected to Continue into 2035” (January 30, 2026)Â
