Obesity is often misunderstood as being only about personal choices, like what you eat, how much you move, or how much willpower you have. However, in the United States, obesity rates also vary based on cultural factors — such as race, ethnicity, family traditions, and community norms — as well as related social and structural influences like income, education, and where you live.

These cultural influences, along with life circumstances, can affect a person’s chances of having a higher body weight. Family routines, eating habits, and food choices matter — just like risk factors such as genetics or health conditions. Your weight is also shaped by your experiences, your relationship with food and exercise, and your surroundings — including the state where you live — as well as how you’re treated by the healthcare system and society.

Prevalence of Obesity Varies by Identity and Experience

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is based on height and weight, but it doesn’t show how much fat a person has or where it’s stored. That’s why other tools, like measuring waist size or looking at overall health, are also important for understanding a person’s health.

According to the CDC, around 40.3 percent of all U.S. adults had obesity between 2021 and 2023. However, obesity doesn’t affect everyone equally. CDC data show that the prevalence of obesity — meaning how common it is in a group of people — varies by race, income, and education.

Obesity Rates by Race

Obesity affects some racial and ethnic groups more than others. From 2017 to 2020, the rates among U.S. adults were:

• Black — 49.9 percent
• Hispanic — 45.6 percent
• White — 41.4 percent
• Asian — 16.1 percent

Obesity Rates by Annual Household Income

Income is also linked to obesity risk. Lower income levels are generally tied to higher rates of obesity:

• Less than $15,000 — 33.8 percent
• $15,000 to $25,000 — 31.8 percent
• $25,000 to $35,000 — 29.7 percent
• $35,000 to $50,000 — 29.5 percent
• $50,000 or more — 24.6 percent

Obesity Rates by Education Level

Obesity rates also differed by education level, per data from 2021 to 2023:

• High school diploma or less — 44.6 percent
• Some college — 45 percent
• Bachelor’s degree or more — 31.6 percent

3 Cultural Factors that Might Influence Someone’s Weight

1. Income

Living a healthy lifestyle can be expensive. In lower-income neighborhoods, healthy food is often harder to find because there are fewer fresh food markets and grocery stores nearby. Due to the connection between racial segregation and poverty in the U.S., this lack of access has a greater impact on Black and Latino people, who are more likely to live in low-income neighborhoods.

One study found that neighborhoods with higher percentages of Black residents had fewer supermarkets and longer distances to reach them than mostly white neighborhoods. Processed foods and fast food, which tend to be higher in fat and less nutritious, were usually easier to find.

According to a national survey by Cleveland Clinic, the most common reason people give for not eating a healthier diet is cost. People who face food insecurity — meaning it’s a challenge to afford enough food — might be at higher risk of obesity because less healthy options may be cheaper.

Research shows a link between lower income and lower diet quality. A 2022 study found that about 12 percent of all U.S. households were food insecure. That number was even higher for Black households (22 percent) and Latino households (21 percent).

Some MyObesityTeam members have described how poverty affects their ability to maintain a healthy weight, sharing comments such as these:

• “I am living in poverty. It hasn’t helped my weight because I can’t afford to eat properly.”
• “I was raised in poverty and had a lot of food insecurity that pops up sometimes still.”

2. Access to Recreational Facilities

Having safe, affordable places to be active — like parks, gyms, and walking paths — can help people maintain a healthy weight, but not everyone has access to these resources. Studies show that minority neighborhoods are more likely than white neighborhoods to lack recreational facilities. The same is true for low-income versus high-income areas. This makes it harder to be active even if you want to be. It’s not just about personal choices — it’s also about the opportunities and resources around you.

3. Cultural Preferences and Habits

Cultural influences around food consumption, body image, and body size can also play roles in how obesity shows up in different communities. Food is often a big part of cultural celebrations and milestone events with family members.

These traditions and habits can contribute to overeating, as one MyObesityTeam member described: “If I did something good, I want to celebrate over a meal. If I’m down and sad, some extra dessert will make me feel better. I was raised that the first response to everything was to eat. I still find myself doing that. How can I break this cycle of weight gain?”

Culture and obesity are closely connected. Some studies have found that immigrant communities tend to eat fewer ultra-processed foods when following more traditional diets. However, as people adapt to American eating habits over time, their intake of processed and high-sugar foods may rise, increasing their risk of obesity.

In some cultures, thinness can be seen as a sign of poor health, especially in children. Ideas about beauty and body size also vary. Some cultural customs may support healthy habits, while others can make it harder to prioritize healthy eating and regular physical activity.

On average, Latino people report less leisure time physical activity compared with white people. Latina women often say that caregiving duties and cultural pressure to care for others limit their time for self-care. Latino men more often report demanding work schedules and a lack of appropriate places to exercise, though research on this is still limited.

Studies show that Black women experience obesity at higher rates than white women and Black men. Researchers have reported that Black women:

• Are more likely to retain weight after giving birth than white women, according to Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports
• Have lower levels of non-work-related physical activity than Black men, according to the CDC
• May avoid exercise due to hair care (such as involving wigs and silk presses) and hair issues

However, personal behavior is only part of the story. Chronic stress related to discrimination also affects well-being and is linked to higher BMI. In addition, Black women are also underrepresented in studies of obesity treatments, which limits access to effective care.

Find Care That Works for You

If you’re living with obesity, it’s important to find care that supports your whole health — including your background, experiences, and needs. Cultural beliefs, financial limitations, or past negative experiences in healthcare can make it harder to seek or stick with treatment.

Talk with your healthcare provider about healthy habits, self-care, lifestyle changes, and mental health approaches that might help you improve your quality of life and lead to better personal health outcomes. Finding a community can also be helpful. Chances are, you’ll find others who can relate to the same types of cultural factors that you’re experiencing.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyObesityTeam, the social network for people with obesity and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with obesity.

How has your culture or background affected your experience with obesity? What are some ways you try to honor your culture while working toward your weight goals? Share your comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.