Health · Facts & sources
6 sourced facts about body weight, each with the context behind the number. 4 more are in today's round and appear here after it closes.
Answer199.0 pounds
The average U.S. man is 68.9 inches (about 5'9") tall, with a waist circumference of 40.6 inches.
Source: CDC/NCHS FastStats, Body Measurements (NHANES Aug 2021–Aug 2023) (2023) cdc.gov
Answer40.3%
That's above the Healthy People 2030 target of 36%, though overall prevalence didn't change significantly over the prior decade.
Source: CDC/NCHS Data Brief No. 508 (2024) cdc.gov
Answer1 in 8 people
Worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled.
Source: World Health Organization, Obesity and overweight fact sheet (2025) who.int
Answer2.5 billion (43% of adults)
Of these, 890 million were living with obesity. In 1990, just 25% of adults were overweight.
Source: World Health Organization, Obesity and overweight fact sheet (2025) who.int
Answer9.4%
Severe obesity was more common in women (12.1%) than men (6.7%).
Source: CDC/NCHS Data Brief No. 508 (2024) cdc.gov
Answer31.6%
That compares with 44.6% among adults with a high school diploma or less.
Source: CDC/NCHS Data Brief No. 508 (2024) cdc.gov