Share of elderly U.S. adults who were obese 2013-2021

Almost 30 percent of those aged 65 and older in the United States were obese in 2021. In comparison, in 2013 slightly less than 27 percent of adults aged 65 years and older were obese.

What is the most obese U.S. state?

As of 2021, the state with the highest share of adults who were obese was West Virginia. At that time, almost 41 percent of the adult population of West Virginia was obese. In comparison, around 25 percent of adults in Colorado and Hawaii were obese, making them the states with the lowest rates of adult obesity. Behind West Virginia, the other states with the highest obesity rates include Kentucky, Alabama, and Oklahoma.

Other health risks among older adults

One of the biggest lifestyle health risks is smoking. In 2021, just under nine percent of American adults aged 65 or older smoked cigarettes. Another major health risk for the elderly is the risk of falling. It was estimated that around 27 percent of elderly American adults fell in 2020.