- American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents are 30 percent more likely than non-Hispanic white adolescents to be obese.
- American Indian or Alaska Native adults are 50 percent more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites.
- People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, diabetes and LDL cholesterol – all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.1
| Age-adjusted percentage of persons 18 years of age and over who were overweight but not obese, 2018. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater) | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 33.1 | 33.9 | 1.0 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-15a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
| Age-adjusted percentage of persons 18 years of age and over who were obese, 2018. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater) | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 48.1 | 30.0 | 1.6 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-15a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
CHILDREN
- National data on overweight and obesity not available at this time.
| Percentage of children age 2-17 for whom a doctor or other health provider ever gave advice about the amount and kind of physical activity, United States, 2015 | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 39.0 | 49.6 | 0.8 |
Source: National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query: Table 7_2_1_6_1.1 [Accessed 03/03/2020]
https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/data/query
| Percentage of children age 2-17 for whom a doctor or other health provider ever gave advice about eating healthy, United States, 2015 | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 58.2 | 65.6 | 0.9 |
Source: 2016 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports. Data Query: Table 7_2_1_8_1.1 [Accessed 03/03/2020]
https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/data/query
ADOLESCENTS
| Percentage of high school students who were overweight, 2017 | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 11.0 | 14.0 | 0.8 |
Source: High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data.
Available at https://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. [Accessed 03/03/2020]
| Percentage of high school students who were obese, 2017 | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 11.0 | 12.5 | 0.9 |
Source: High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data.
Available at https://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline. [Accessed 03/03/2020]
HEALTH IMPACT OF OBESITY
| Percentage of inactive physical activity among adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Did not meet federal physical activity guidelines) | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 41.0 | 38.9 | 1.1 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-14a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
| Percentage of some leisure-time physical activity among adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Met aerobic guidelines only) | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 54.4 | 57.5 | 0.9 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-14a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
| Percentage of regular leisure-time physical activity among adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Met federal physical activity guidelines) | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | Non-Hispanic White | American Indian/Alaska Native / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 18.9 | 23.4 | 0.8 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-14a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
RISK FACTORS
Obesity is a risk factor several diseases. For statistics on these related diseases, see:
Diabetes – See Diabetes and American Indians/Native Americans
Heart Disease – See Heart Disease and American Indians/Native Americans
Stroke – See Stroke and American Indians/Native Americans
1Source: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html
Last Edited: 03/26/2020