Obesity mortality on the rise: A 54‐year US perspective
Authors' conclusion
After a decline from 1968 to 1985, obesity AAMRs rose until 2019, and spiked during the pandemic, reaching their highest recorded level in 2021. Disparities persist across sex, race, and geography, warranting targeted public health strategies.
Study context
- Population
- US individuals aged ≥25 years with obesity recorded as underlying cause of death (ICD codes), 1968–2021
- Participants
- 174,625 obesity deaths
- Outcome
- Obesity AAMRs per 100 000 individuals
- Follow-up
- 1968–2021
Methodological detailsJoinpoint regression, CDC WONDER national mortality data
- Joinpoint regression
- CDC WONDER national mortality data
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Obesity AAMR per 100 000
AAMR in 1968
1.15
95% CI 1.09–1.22
AAMR in 2019
3.39
95% CI 3.31–3.46
AAMR in 2021
4.54
95% CI 4.45–4.62
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Sex disparities
- Males had higher age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) than females during the latter part of the study period
Racial disparities
- Black or African American individuals had higher AAMRs than White individuals during the study period
State obesity mortality rates · 1999–2019
- Lowest: Hawaii
- 1.62 (95% CI: 1.44-1.80)
- Highest: West Virginia
- 4.46 (95% CI: 4.21-4.72)
Original publication
Obesity mortality on the rise: A 54‐year US perspective. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 1 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →