The State of Obesity 2024: Better Policies for a Healthier America is an annual report by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) that looks at key obesity statistics and trends in the United States. TFAH is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works on various health issues and advocates for prevention and health equity. This year’s edition of The State of Obesity includes a special feature that examines food consumption changes and the larger food environment in the US.
A fact sheet specific to Hawaiʻi is available.
Key takeaways from the report include:
- Nationally, the adult obesity rate passed 40% in 2017-2020, which is the most recent data available (pg. 21)
- In the past 20 years, adult obesity rates have increased by 37% (pg. 6)
- 23 states had adult obesity rates over 35% in 2023, yet in 2012, no state had an obesity rate over 35% (pg. 22)*
- Nearly 20% of children and adolescents (age 2-19 years old) were obese in 2017-2020, a rate more than triple what it was in the 1970’s (pg. 29)
- Hawaiʻi had one of the lowest state obesity rates (26.1%) in the country for 2023 (pg. 26)*
TFAH recommends the following policies:
- Dedication of federal resources to efforts that reduce obesity
- Decrease food and nutrition insecurity while improving nutritional quality of available foods
- Change marketing and pricing strategies of unhealthy foods and beverages
- Make physical activity and the built environment safer
- Work with the healthcare system to close disparities
* Note: State level rates of obesity are lower than national obesity rates due to differences in data sources used (pg. 23)
