Obesity rates in America have steadily increased over the past few decades. In 1962, 13.0% of Americans were obese, which rose to 35.7% by 2010 - more than tripling the rate of obesity. A chart shows the percentage of obese Americans has risen each year from 1962 to 2010, with especially sharp increases between 1997 and 2008.

2. Obesity in America
40.0%
35.7%
35.0% 33.8%
Percentage of Obese Americans
30.0%
26.6%
24.5%
25.0%
20.0% 19.4%
15.0%
13.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
1962 1997 2004 2007 2008 2010
Year