US youth obesity rates remain high, with notable disparities

Rates of obesity remain significant in the United States, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.¹

Youths with overweight and obesity are significantly more likely to experience adult obesity, as well as both short- and long-term health outcomes. Youth obesity rates have been consistently recorded as high in the United States in national studies and surveillance programs.

“However, national estimates for youth overweight and severe obesity remain limited, especially among subgroups,” wrote investigators.

Obesity assessments

The cross-sectional study was conducted to provide more recent estimations of youth overweight, obesity, and severe obesity. Data was obtained from the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, a combination of 8 clinical research networks that has been used for health surveillance among the US population.

Participants were aged 0 to 19 years and had height and weight data from 2024 recorded within 14 days of each other. This data was used to measure age- and sex-specific body mass index, with categories based on World Health Organization standards for children younger than 2 years.

Underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obesity, and severe obesity categories in children aged at least 2 years were based on CDC standards. These included less than fifth, fifth to less than 85th, 85th to less than 95th, 95th to less than 120% of the 95th, and 120% or greater of the 95th percentile, respectively.

Participant characteristics and obesity rates

There were 6,094,825 youths included in the final analysis, 49.1% of whom were female, 40% aged 12 to 19 years, 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native, 5.2% Asian, 17% Black, 0.3% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 55.1% White, 24.1% Hispanic, 2.6% multiple races, and 7.9% other race. Race data were missing in 11.2%.

An overall prevalence of 19.8% was reported for obesity among those aged 2 to 19 years. The rate of overweight or obesity was 26.9% in those aged 2 to 5 years, increasing to 38.5% in those aged 12 to 19 years. In comparison, the rate of severe obesity among adults and adolescents was 9.2%.

Rates of healthy weight were reported among patients aged 12 to 19 years based on race and ethnicity. These included the following:

• 49.5% of American Indian or Alaskan Native patients
• 52.3% of Black patients
• 49.1% of Hispanic patients
• 47.3% of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander patients
• 59.3% of White patients

Implications

These results indicated a significant prevalence of overweight and obesity among US youth. Additionally, this study provides data about differences in weight based on race and ethnicity, including groups that were previously underrepresented such as Asian or American Indian and Alaskan Native youths.

“These results demonstrate the uneven distribution of obesity and severe obesity across youths in the US and underscore the need for ongoing treatment, prevention, and public health interventions to reduce excess adiposity in youths,” wrote investigators.

Treatment approaches and emerging tools

To address the concerns of rising obesity among youths, Tanya Altmann, MD, highlighted the benefits of weight loss medications in an interview with Contemporary Pediatrics®.² During the discussion, Altmann highlighted the importance of lifestyle interventions to improve child weight.

These interventions include exercising and eating healthy, nutrient-rich meals. However, many children continue to struggle despite making these lifestyle changes, highlighting the benefits of weight management medications.

“As we know, obesity is a huge problem, growing problem in the United States, and we now have more tools, the weight management medications that we can begin using for kids and families who really need it,” said Altmann. “I do really feel it can be a life-changing tool for these families.”

References

1. Heerman WJ, Samuels LR, Block JP, Marsolo KA, Rothman RL. Prevalence of youth overweight, obesity, and severe obesity. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(2):e2558710. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.58710
2. Fitch J. Tanya Altmann, MD, discusses childhood obesity, lifestyle changes, and medications. Contemporary Pediatrics. October 2, 2024. Accessed February 16, 2026. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/tanya-altmann-md-discusses-childhood-obesity-lifestyle-changes-and-medications