2013 to 2023 Saw Rise in Obesity in U.S. Teens

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

via HealthDay

TUESDAY, March 17, 2026 -- Adolescent obesity rates rose from 2013 to 2023, while weight loss attempts declined over time, according to a study published online March 11 in the Ochsner Journal.

Jack Yang, from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, and colleagues examined trends in obesity, overweight, and attempted weight loss in a national sample of U.S. adolescents participating in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2013 to 2023).

The researchers found that over time, obesity rates increased from 13.7 to 15.9 percent, with the highest rates seen among Black and Hispanic/Latino adolescents and the lowest rate among Asian adolescents. The percentage of U.S. high school students with overweight simultaneously declined significantly, from 16.6 percent to 14.7 percent, with a more notable decrease seen among male versus female students. There was also a decline seen in the overall percentage of adolescents engaging in weight loss efforts (47.7 to 44.5 percent). Declines in weight loss attempts were most notable among 10th and 12th graders. While female high school students reported higher rates of weight loss attempts than males, their attempts declined, too.

"While more research is needed, these data have implications for clinicians and public health practitioners," coauthor Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., also from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, said in a statement. "These patterns underscore the need for clinical and public health strategies to address the challenges in U.S. adolescents to prevent future morbidity and mortality."

One author disclosed ties to Amgen.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2026-03-18 08:54

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

2013 to 2023 Saw Rise in Obesity in U.S. Teens

Read more

Disclaimer

Popular Keywords