U.S. Teen Obesity Rates Reach New Highs as Weight Loss Efforts Decline

Researchers find obesity rates climbing, especially among Black and Hispanic teens, even as motivation to manage weight fades.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 7:00pm

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A new study from Florida Atlantic University analyzing data from over 85,000 high school students shows that teen obesity rates in the U.S. have reached record highs, climbing from 13.7% in 2013 to 15.9% in 2023. The research also found that the motivation to lose weight has declined, with the percentage of students trying to lose weight dropping from 47.7% in 2013 to 44.5% in 2023. The study highlights stark disparities, with Black and Hispanic teens seeing some of the highest obesity rates.

Why it matters

Obesity in adolescence is a major public health concern, as it increases the risk of serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. The declining motivation to manage weight among teens is especially troubling, as it suggests the problem may continue to worsen without intervention.

The details

The study, published in the Ochsner Journal, found that while the overall prevalence of being overweight declined during the study period, it was mostly offset by an increasing rate of teen obesity. Black adolescents saw some of the highest obesity rates, peaking at 21.2%, while Hispanic teens reached a high of 20.2%. Male obesity peaked at 18.9% in 2019, compared to female rates ranging from 10.8% to 13.7%. Researchers suggest that while social media can make teens feel worse about their bodies, it doesn't always translate into healthy action, and they are calling for school programs that focus on better nutrition, healthy habits, positive body image, and mental health support.

  • The study analyzed data from 2013 to 2023.
  • The obesity rate among high schoolers rose from 13.7% in 2013 to 15.9% in 2023.
  • The percentage of students trying to lose weight dropped from 47.7% in 2013 to 44.5% in 2023.

The players

Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

The university where the researchers who conducted the study are based.

Dr. Charles Hennekens

A professor at FAU's College of Medicine in Boca Raton, Florida, and a co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“In the U.S. today, adolescent obesity rates continue to rise while weight-loss attempts have steadily declined.”

— Dr. Charles Hennekens, Professor, FAU College of Medicine

“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.”

— Dr. Charles Hennekens, Professor, FAU College of Medicine

What’s next

Researchers are calling for school programs that focus on better nutrition, healthy habits, positive body image, and mental health support to address the growing teen obesity crisis.

The takeaway

The study highlights a troubling trend of rising teen obesity rates coupled with declining motivation to manage weight, underscoring the need for comprehensive, culturally-sensitive interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and address the complex factors contributing to this public health challenge.