TL;DR
Obesity has increased sharply in the United States over the last several decades. Nearly half of U.S. adults are now obese, and many states have rates over 35%. Sugary drinks, especially soda sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, play a major role in this trend. These changes carry heavy health and economic costs.
Obesity Has Increased Dramatically Over Time
In the 1960s, only about 13% of American adults were classified as obese.
By the early 2000s, that number had risen to 32%, and about 66% of adults were overweight.
Recent national data (2021–2023) show that 40.3% of U.S. adults are now obese, and 9.4% meet criteria for severe obesity. Obesity is most common in adults aged 40–59 and lowest in adults under 40.
Every U.S. state now has an adult obesity rate above 20%, with many states above 35%.
The Economic Impact Is Huge
Older estimates suggested that obesity added nearly $69 billion in direct medical costs, along with $23 billion in lost productivity.
Given the rising rates, today’s economic burden is likely far higher.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup and Sugary Drinks: A Major Factor
Between 1970 and 1990, the use of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) increased more than 1,000%, becoming a major sweetener in processed foods and soft drinks.
This rise closely parallels the increase in obesity.
Almost all non-diet soda in the United States is sweetened with HFCS, and soda consumption has increased about 500% over the past 50 years.
A study in The Lancet found that each additional 12-ounce serving of sugary soda increased a child’s odds of becoming obese by 60%.
