- Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders were three times more likely to be obese than the overall Asian American population in 2014.
- Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders were 80 percent more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic whites in 2016.
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adolescents were more than twice as likely to be obese as compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents in 2017.
- A 2014 survey on Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHPI) revealed that Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander sub-populations had higher obesity rates than both Asian Americans and white Americans.
- In 2014, Samoans were 5.6 times more likely to be obese as compared to the overall Asian American population.
- 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, 2016. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or greater) | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 24.4 | 34.3 | 0.7 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2016. 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, 2016. (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater) | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 51.7 | 28.7 | 1.8 |
Source: CDC 2020. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2016. Table A-15a.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/shs/tables.htm
| Age-adjusted percentages of body mass index among adults 18 years of age and over, single-race, overweight but not obese, 2014 | |||
| Population | Overweight | Ratio Overweight / All Asian Population | Ratio Overweight / Whites |
| All Whites | 35.0 | 1.2 | -- |
| All Asians | 28.6 | -- | 0.8 |
| All NHPI | 31.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Native Hawaiian | 30.8 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Pacific Islander | 32.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Samoan | 28.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Guamanian/Chamorro | 34.7 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Other Pacific Islander | 37.8 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
Source: CDC 2015. Health Conditions and Behaviors of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Persons in the United States, 2014. Table 2.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03_040.pdf [PDF | 2.43MB]
| Age-adjusted percentages of body mass index among adults 18 years of age and over, single-race, obese, 2014 | |||
| Population | Obese | Ratio Obese / All Asian Population | Ratio Obese / Whites |
| All Whites | 28.2 | 2.6 | -- |
| All Asians | 11.0 | -- | 0.4 |
| All NHPI | 44.6 | 4.1 | 1.6 |
| Native Hawaiian | 43.0 | 3.9 | 1.5 |
| Pacific Islander | 44.9 | 4.1 | 1.6 |
| Samoan | 61.6 | 5.6 | 2.2 |
| Guamanian/Chamorro | 39.9 | 3.6 | 1.4 |
| Other Pacific Islander | 38.0 | 3.5 | 1.3 |
Source: CDC 2015. Health Conditions and Behaviors of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Persons in the United States, 2014. Table 2.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_03/sr03_040.pdf [PDF | 2.43MB]
CHILDREN
- National data on overweight and obesity not available at this time.
ADOLESCENTS
| Percentage of high school students who were overweight, 2017 | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 21.5 | 14.0 | 1.5 |
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 | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 26.7 | 12.5 | 2.4 |
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 leisure-time physical activity, adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Did not meet federal physical activity guidelines) | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 51.4 | 38.9 | 1.3 |
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, adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Met aerobic guidelines only) | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 44.5 | 57.5 | 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
| Percentage of regular leisure-time physical activity, adults 18 years of age and over, 2018 (Met federal physical activity guidelines) | ||
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | Non-Hispanic White | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander / Non-Hispanic White Ratio |
| 21.9 | 25.8 | 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 for several diseases. For statistics on these related diseases, see:
Diabetes – See Diabetes and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders
Heart Disease – See Heart Disease and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders
Stroke – See Stroke and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders
1Source: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html
Last Edited: 03/26/2020