19.8% Of U.S. Youth Ages 2 To 19 Had Obesity In 2024

About 19.8% of U.S. youth ages 2 to 19 years had obesity in 2024, according to an analysis of body mass index (BMI) levels. Among children ages 2 to 5 years, 26.9% had overweight or obesity, as measured against growth charts. Among adolescents ages 12 to 19 years, 38.5% had overweight or obesity. About 9.2% of adolescents had severe obesity.

The researchers analyzed data from the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet), a grop of eight clinical research networks that has previously been used for U.S. population health surveillance. The researchers noted that . . .