Youth overweight and obesity remain major public health concerns in the United States. A new study published in JAMA Network Open provides the most recent and comprehensive data on the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity among children and adolescents in 2024. The research draws on electronic health records from over six million young people across the United States and highlights the uneven distribution of excess weight across different age groups, races, and ethnicities. Understanding these trends is critical for families, educators, clinicians, and policymakers working to improve child health outcomes.
Excess weight in childhood and adolescence is linked to an elevated risk of lifelong obesity and a range of negative health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, and psychological effects. Early adulthood overweight and obesity also correlate with increased healthcare costs and lower quality of life. Despite decades of research, consistent national estimates of overweight and particularly severe obesity among youth have been limited, especially for subgroups defined by race and ethnicity. The new JAMA study fills this gap by using health record data from the National Patient‑Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet), offering one of the largest and most current snapshots of youth weight status in the U.S.
The researchers used PCORnet to query electronic health records for children and adolescents aged zero to 19 years who had height and weight measurements recorded within 14 days of each other during 2024. These measurements were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) percentiles using established standards from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youths were categorized as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, obese, or severely obese based on BMI percentiles appropriate for their age.
Body mass index (BMI) is a standard tool for assessing weight relative to height. For children under two years old, WHO growth charts are used. For children aged two and older, the CDC growth charts define healthy weight as a BMI between the 5th and 84th percentiles for age and sex. Overweight is defined as a BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles, obesity as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile, and severe obesity as a BMI at or above 120 percent of the 95th percentile. These metrics help public health professionals and clinicians identify trends in pediatric excess weight and target prevention strategies.
The study included 6,094,825 youths from across the U.S. With a large sample size that spans diverse geographic regions and demographic groups, this research provides robust insights into the prevalence of excess weight.
Overall, these results suggest that excess weight affects a substantial proportion of young people in the U.S. and that the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases with age.
One of the most important contributions of this study is its documentation of differences in weight status across demographic groups:
These figures reveal that many subgroups experience lower rates of healthy weight and higher rates of overweight and obesity compared with White youths. The disparities underscore the need for culturally sensitive prevention and intervention efforts.
The persistence of high rates of pediatric overweight and obesity is more than a medical concern. These trends have social and economic implications that reach schools, families, health systems, and communities. High rates of excess weight in childhood often forecast increased burden of chronic disease and healthcare needs in adulthood, and these issues are already visible in U.S. health data.
Although this study did not directly measure health outcomes beyond weight status, the association between excess adiposity in youth and conditions such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and early cardiovascular risk is well established. Previous research shows that children with obesity are more likely to develop metabolic disorders earlier in life. The severity of risk increases with more extreme levels of obesity.
The racial and ethnic differences in prevalence rates highlighted in the study suggest that social determinants of health play a significant role. Factors such as access to healthy foods, safe areas for physical activity, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare all contribute to weight outcomes. Developing targeted interventions that address these broader determinants of health is fundamental to reducing pediatric obesity.
As with all research, this analysis has limitations:
Despite these limitations, the study’s findings align with other national data and provide valuable insights for ongoing surveillance and prevention efforts.
Reducing youth overweight and obesity requires coordinated efforts at multiple levels:
Public health policies that improve access to healthy foods, create safe environments for physical activity, and address socioeconomic barriers are critical for lasting change.
The 2024 data from JAMA Network Open demonstrate that overweight, obesity, and severe obesity remain pervasive among youths across the United States, with significant variation by age and demographic group. Nearly one in five youths aged 2 to 19 years had obesity, with rates rising into adolescence. The study reinforces the urgent need for ongoing research, policy action, and targeted community interventions to improve child health and reduce the long-term burden of excess weight.
By understanding these patterns and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to excess weight, we can work toward healthier futures for children and young adults.
Heerman WJ, Samuels LR, Block JP, et al. Prevalence of Youth Overweight, Obesity, and Severe Obesity. JAMA Network Open. Published online February 10, 2026.
This blog post provides general information based on published research and does not constitute medical advice. Individual health conditions vary and any health decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. The information presented reflects data and findings available at the time of writing and may be updated as new research emerges.
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