Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: We previously reported that the prevalence of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30kg/m²) and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40kg/m²) among hospitalized patients increased steadily between 2017 and 2021 and most notably among 20-39 years old patients. With the widespread use of GLP-1 anti-obesity medication, we aimed to update the yearly trend of obesity among hospitalized adult patients between 2021 and 2025.
METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using Premier Healthcare Database for adult (aged≥20 years) inpatients with height and weight measurements available and discharged between 1/1/2021−12/31/2025. Pregnant patients were excluded.
RESULTS: Among 2,084,933 adult inpatients, the prevalence of obesity decreased from 39.6% (2021) to 38.1% (2022), 38.0% (2023), 37.2% (2024), and 37.2% (2025). The prevalence of severe obesity decreased from 9.8% (2021) to 9.2% (2022), 8.9% (2023), 8.4% (2024), and 8.3% (2025). Among men (n=1,038,868), the prevalence of obesity decreased from 36.4% (2021) to 34.4% (2025) and severe obesity decreased from 7.3% (2021) to 6.1% (2025). Among women (n=1,045,927), the prevalence of obesity decreased from 42.9% (2021) to 40.0% (2025) and severe obesity decreased from 12.4% (2021) to 10.5% (2025). In 2025, the overall prevalence of obesity was highest (48.9%) among 40−59 years old patients (n=491,721) and lowest (26.5%) among 75+ years old patients (n=659,294). However, patients in the 20-39 years age group (n=234,055) had the largest decrease in prevalence from 2021 to 2025 for overall obesity (41.4% to 38.5%) and severe obesity (14.4% to 11.9%).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity among hospitalized adult patients showed a slight but steady decrease between 2021 and 2025, contrary to the trend observed in previous years (between 2017 and 2021). Further research is needed to understand its association with anti-obesity medication use.