Metabolic Diseases in the US 2026
Metabolic diseases have emerged as one of the most pressing public health crises facing the United States today. These conditions — which include type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hypertension, and dyslipidemia — are not isolated conditions. They form an interlocking web of chronic disease that collectively burden hundreds of millions of Americans. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the scope and scale of these diseases in 2026 is staggering. More than 40 million Americans are living with diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes, approximately 47.7% of all US adults have hypertension, and over 40% of adults are classified as obese. What makes these numbers particularly alarming is their trajectory — each of these conditions has grown substantially over the past two decades, and projections suggest the burden will only worsen without significant intervention.
The statistics presented in this article are drawn exclusively from verified, peer-reviewed sources and official US government data, including the CDC, NCHS, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and related federal health agencies. Metabolic diseases do not discriminate by age, race, or income — though data consistently shows that disparities run deep across these demographic lines. For policymakers, healthcare providers, patients, and researchers alike, understanding the true scale of metabolic disease in the United States in 2026 is the first critical step toward meaningful change. The facts and figures in this article represent the most current available data, updated through January 2026, and reflect the state of metabolic health across the nation as it stands today.
Key Interesting Facts — Metabolic Diseases in the US 2026
| Key Fact | Statistic / Data Point |
|---|---|
| Total people with diabetes in the US (diagnosed + undiagnosed) | 40.1 million (12.0% of US population) — 2023 data |
| People with undiagnosed diabetes | 11.0 million adults (27.6% of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed) |
| Americans with prediabetes (age 18+) | 115.2 million adults — over 1 in 3 US adults |
| Adult obesity prevalence (measured, NHANES) | 40.3% of US adults — August 2021–August 2023 |
| Severe obesity prevalence (BMI ≥ 40) in adults | 9.4% of US adults; women (12.1%) higher than men (6.7%) |
| Adult hypertension prevalence (NHANES) | 47.7% of US adults — August 2021–August 2023 |
| Adults with hypertension with blood pressure controlled | Only 20.7% — a critically low control rate |
| Metabolic syndrome prevalence, US adults (2011–2018) | ~36.9% — approximately 1 in 3 adults affected |
| NAFLD prevalence in the United States | ~38% of US adults; increased 50%+ in 3 decades |
| Annual cost of obesity to US healthcare system | Nearly $173 billion per year (CDC data) |
| Annual cost of diabetes to US economy | $412.9 billion total (2022) — $306.6B medical + $106.3B lost productivity |
| Hypertension as cause of US deaths in 2023 | 664,470 deaths — primary or contributing cause |
| Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy | Just 1 in 8 adults meet all 5 optimal metabolic health markers |
| Adults 65+ with diabetes | 28.8% — nearly 1 in 3 older Americans affected |
| States with adult obesity prevalence ≥ 35% (2024) | 19 states plus DC — including Mississippi and West Virginia at ≥ 40% |
Sources: CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report (January 2026); NCHS Data Brief No. 508 (September 2024); NCHS Data Brief No. 511 (October 2024); CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps 2024 (December 2025); American Diabetes Association, 2022; CDC Chronic Disease Facts & Stats (2025)
The scale of metabolic disease across the United States is nothing short of a national emergency playing out in slow motion. The fact that 115.2 million Americans — more than 1 in 3 adults — currently have prediabetes, yet most of them are completely unaware of their condition, speaks to a massive gap in screening, awareness, and early intervention. Prediabetes is a near-certain precursor to type 2 diabetes if left unaddressed, and its silent prevalence helps explain why diabetes diagnoses continue to rise. What is equally striking is the cost angle: the combined economic burden of just diabetes and obesity alone is approaching $600 billion annually. When hypertension costs, lost productivity, and comorbidity-related spending are factored in, the true burden of metabolic disease on the US economy runs well into the trillions of dollars — a figure that continues to grow year over year.
Perhaps the most sobering data point in this table is that only 12.2% of American adults are achieving optimal metabolic health — meaning fewer than 1 in 8 people in the country have all five key metabolic markers (blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference) at recommended levels without the need for medications. This alarming figure, drawn from NHANES data, illustrates just how deeply metabolic dysfunction has become embedded in the fabric of American health. The overlapping nature of these conditions — where obesity drives hypertension, which feeds insulin resistance, which accelerates type 2 diabetes, which worsens NAFLD — means that treating or preventing one disease has multiplier effects across the entire metabolic disease spectrum.
Metabolic Diseases List in the US 2026
The term “metabolic disease” covers a wide and interconnected spectrum of conditions that disrupt the body’s ability to process nutrients, regulate energy, and maintain hormonal and biochemical balance. Below is a comprehensive list of all major and recognized metabolic diseases affecting the US population, along with a brief description and available US prevalence data for 2026.
| # | Metabolic Disease | Category | US Prevalence / Key Fact (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | Glucose metabolism disorder | ~37.3 million diagnosed adults; most common form of diabetes |
| 2 | Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus | Autoimmune / glucose metabolism | ~2.1 million Americans; 314,000 under age 20 |
| 3 | Prediabetes | Glucose metabolism disorder | 115.2 million US adults (38%) — majority unaware |
| 4 | Gestational Diabetes | Glucose metabolism (pregnancy) | Affects ~8% of pregnancies in the US annually |
| 5 | Metabolic Syndrome | Multi-factor metabolic cluster | ~36.9% of US adults; 50%+ in adults aged 60+ |
| 6 | Obesity (Class I, II, III) | Energy balance / adiposity disorder | 40.3% of adults; 9.4% with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40) |
| 7 | Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) | Cardiovascular-metabolic | 47.7% of US adults; only 20.7% have it controlled |
| 8 | Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD / MASLD) | Hepatic-metabolic disorder | ~38% of US adults; fastest-growing liver transplant cause |
| 9 | Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH / MASH) | Progressive hepatic-metabolic | 5–7% of US general population; 37% in T2D patients |
| 10 | Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol / Triglycerides) | Lipid metabolism disorder | ~86 million US adults have high total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dL) |
| 11 | Hypercholesterolemia | Lipid metabolism disorder | Affects ~1 in 3 US adults; only 55% being treated |
| 12 | Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) | Genetic lipid disorder | Affects ~1 in 250 Americans; ~90% undiagnosed — AHA data |
| 13 | Hypertriglyceridemia | Lipid metabolism disorder | ~25% of US adults have borderline-high or high triglycerides |
| 14 | Hyperuricemia / Gout | Purine metabolism disorder | ~9.2 million Americans have gout; ~43 million have hyperuricemia |
| 15 | Hypothyroidism | Thyroid / endocrine-metabolic | ~5% of Americans aged 12+; up to 16% in women over 60 |
| 16 | Hyperthyroidism | Thyroid / endocrine-metabolic | Affects ~1.2% of US population; women 5–8x more affected |
| 17 | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | Endocrine-metabolic disorder | Affects 6–12% of US women of reproductive age — CDC/NICHD |
| 18 | Cushing’s Syndrome | Cortisol / adrenal metabolism | Rare; 10–15 cases per million people annually in the US |
| 19 | Addison’s Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) | Adrenal / endocrine metabolism | Affects roughly 1 in 100,000 Americans — NIDDK data |
| 20 | Acromegaly | Growth hormone / pituitary disorder | Prevalence ~60 cases per million in the US — NIDDK |
| 21 | Insulin Resistance Syndrome | Glucose-insulin metabolism | Closely linked to prediabetes; present in ~35% of US adults |
| 22 | Hyperinsulinemia | Glucose-insulin metabolism | Common in obesity and prediabetes; no standalone US registry |
| 23 | Phenylketonuria (PKU) | Amino acid metabolism disorder | ~1 in 10,000–15,000 newborns in the US — ACMG / CDC |
| 24 | Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) | Branched-chain amino acid disorder | ~1 in 185,000 births; higher in Mennonite communities — NIH |
| 25 | Homocystinuria | Amino acid metabolism disorder | ~1 in 200,000–335,000 births in the US — NIDDK/NIH |
| 26 | Tyrosinemia (Types I, II, III) | Amino acid metabolism disorder | Rare; ~1 in 100,000–120,000 US births |
| 27 | Galactosemia | Carbohydrate metabolism disorder | ~1 in 30,000–60,000 live births in the US — NIH/ACMG |
| 28 | Glycogen Storage Diseases (GSDs) | Glycogen / carbohydrate metabolism | Combined prevalence ~1 in 20,000–25,000 — NIH GARD |
| 29 | Hereditary Fructose Intolerance (HFI) | Fructose metabolism disorder | ~1 in 20,000–30,000 in the US — NIH Rare Diseases |
| 30 | Lactase Deficiency / Lactose Intolerance | Carbohydrate digestion disorder | Affects ~36% of US population — NIDDK data |
| 31 | Gaucher Disease | Lysosomal storage / lipid metabolism | Most common lysosomal disorder; ~6,000 Americans — NIDDK |
| 32 | Fabry Disease | Lysosomal storage / sphingolipid | ~1 in 40,000–60,000 males; often underdiagnosed — NIH GARD |
| 33 | Niemann-Pick Disease | Lipid / lysosomal storage disorder | Rare; fewer than 1,200 known cases in the US — NORD |
| 34 | Tay-Sachs Disease | Ganglioside / lysosomal storage | ~1 in 320,000 general US population; higher in Ashkenazi Jews |
| 35 | Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS I–IX) | Glycosaminoglycan metabolism | Combined prevalence ~1 in 25,000 US births — NIDDK/NIH |
| 36 | Wilson’s Disease | Copper metabolism disorder | Affects ~1 in 30,000 Americans — NIDDK data |
| 37 | Hemochromatosis (Hereditary) | Iron metabolism disorder | Most common genetic disorder in US; affects ~1 in 300–400 Americans |
| 38 | Porphyria (all types) | Heme biosynthesis disorder | ~1 in 20,000 Americans; AIP most common acute form — NIDDK |
| 39 | Urea Cycle Disorders (UCDs) | Nitrogen / amino acid metabolism | ~1 in 35,000 live US births — NIH NIDDK |
| 40 | Organic Acidemias (e.g., Propionic, Methylmalonic) | Organic acid metabolism | Combined ~1 in 25,000–50,000 live births — NIH/ACMG |
| 41 | Mitochondrial Metabolic Diseases | Cellular energy metabolism | ~1 in 4,000–5,000 Americans affected — United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation |
| 42 | Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders (e.g., MCAD deficiency) | Fatty acid metabolism | ~1 in 17,000 newborns for MCAD (most common) — NIH |
| 43 | Carnitine Deficiency / Carnitine Transport Disorders | Fatty acid / mitochondrial metabolism | ~1 in 40,000–100,000 births — NIH GARD |
| 44 | Hypoglycemia (Pathological / Congenital) | Glucose regulation disorder | Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI): ~1 in 50,000 newborns |
| 45 | Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) | Steroid hormone / adrenal metabolism | ~1 in 10,000–18,000 newborns — Newborn Screening Programs / CDC |
| 46 | Osteoporosis | Bone mineral metabolism | ~10 million Americans; another 43.9 million with low bone mass — NIH |
| 47 | Vitamin D Deficiency / Rickets | Vitamin D / calcium metabolism | ~42% of US adults are vitamin D deficient — NHANES data |
| 48 | Hypomagnesemia | Magnesium metabolism disorder | ~10–15% of hospitalized patients in the US; up to 65% in ICU |
| 49 | Insulinoma | Pancreatic / insulin-secreting tumor | ~4 cases per million people per year in the US — NIH |
| 50 | Lipodystrophy (Acquired and Genetic forms) | Adipose / lipid metabolism disorder | Rare; fewer than 5,000 cases in the US — NIDDK/NIH |
Sources: CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report 2026 (www.cdc.gov/diabetes); NIDDK Health Statistics (www.niddk.nih.gov); NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (rarediseases.info.nih.gov); CDC Newborn Screening (www.cdc.gov/newbornscreening); American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG); NHANES 2021–2023; National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD); American Heart Association 2024; NIH National Osteoporosis Foundation.
The breadth of metabolic diseases in the United States extends far beyond the commonly cited conditions of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. In total, metabolic diseases span five broad categories: glucose and insulin metabolism disorders, lipid and fatty acid metabolism disorders, amino acid and organic acid disorders, lysosomal and storage diseases, and endocrine-metabolic conditions — each carrying its own distinct prevalence, clinical burden, and economic cost. Among the high-prevalence end of the spectrum, conditions like dyslipidemia (~86 million Americans), lactose intolerance (~36% of the US population), vitamin D deficiency (~42% of US adults), obesity (40.3%), and hypertension (47.7%) together affect the majority of Americans in some form. At the rare disease end, conditions like Tay-Sachs, Fabry disease, Wilson’s disease, and mitochondrial disorders affect tens of thousands, yet often go undiagnosed for years due to limited specialist access and low clinical awareness.
What this comprehensive list makes clear is that metabolic disease in the US is not a single-condition problem — it is a systemic failure of metabolic regulation at the population level. The fact that hereditary hemochromatosis — the most common genetic disorder in the United States, affecting roughly 1 in 300–400 Americans — remains widely underdiagnosed, or that Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects 1 in 250 Americans yet 90% remain undiagnosed, reveals a critical gap in metabolic disease detection nationwide. Whether common or rare, every metabolic disease listed here carries real consequences for patients’ quality of life, life expectancy, and healthcare costs. The combined burden of this full spectrum of metabolic diseases in the US in 2026 — from the epidemic-scale conditions to the ultra-rare inherited disorders — represents the defining public health challenge of our era.
Diabetes Statistics in the US 2026
| Indicator | Statistic | Population / Group |
|---|---|---|
| Total diabetes (diagnosed + undiagnosed) | 40.1 million / 12.0% | All ages, US population (2023 data) |
| Diagnosed diabetes (all ages) | 29.1 million | Including 28.8 million adults aged 18+ |
| Undiagnosed diabetes | 11.0 million / 27.6% | Adults aged 18+ (% of all adults with diabetes) |
| Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed) | 2.1 million | Including 314,000 children & adolescents under age 20 |
| New diabetes diagnoses annually | ~1.5 million | Estimated new cases per year in the US |
| Adults 65+ with diabetes | 28.8% | Approximately 1 in 3 seniors aged 65 and older |
| Adults 40–59 with total diabetes | 17.7% | NHANES August 2021–August 2023 |
| Adults 20–39 with total diabetes | 3.6% | NHANES August 2021–August 2023 |
| Diabetes in adults with obesity | 24.2% | vs. 6.8% in underweight/normal weight adults |
| Prediabetes prevalence (adults 18+) | 115.2 million / 38.0% | More than 1 in 3 US adults, 2023 data |
| Diagnosed diabetes — Men vs Women | 11.7% (men) / 8.6% (women) | Age-adjusted, adults 20+; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Total economic cost of diagnosed diabetes | $412.9 billion | 2022 estimate — ADA; $306.6B direct + $106.3B indirect |
Sources: CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report, January 2026 (www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research); NCHS Data Brief No. 516, November 2024 (www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db516.htm); American Diabetes Association Economic Costs of Diabetes in the US (2022).
The 2026 CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report, published on January 21, 2026, confirms that the United States is in the grip of a full-scale diabetes epidemic. With 40.1 million people — or 12% of the total US population — living with diabetes, and an additional 115.2 million adults in the prediabetes range, the pathway for continued growth of this disease remains wide open. The fact that 11 million adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed — representing nearly 27.6% of all adults living with diabetes — represents one of the greatest challenges in diabetes management today. These individuals are accumulating organ damage silently, with no treatment being provided. The age-related escalation is steep: while only 3.6% of adults aged 20–39 have total diabetes, this jumps to 17.7% in the 40–59 age group and 27.3% in adults aged 60 and older — meaning more than 1 in 4 older Americans are living with diabetes.
The economic dimension of diabetes in the US is equally staggering. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2022 reached $412.9 billion, a figure that encompasses $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in lost productivity. The strong connection between obesity and diabetes prevalence is clear in the data — adults with obesity have a 24.2% rate of total diabetes, compared to just 6.8% in adults with a normal or underweight BMI. This near fourfold difference underscores the fact that addressing the obesity crisis in the US is central to any meaningful effort to reduce the future burden of type 2 diabetes on individuals, families, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Obesity Statistics in the US 2026
| Indicator | Statistic / Prevalence | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overall adult obesity prevalence (measured) | 40.3% | NHANES Aug 2021–Aug 2023; No change from 10-year trend |
| Severe obesity prevalence (BMI ≥ 40) | 9.4% | Increased from 7.7% in 2013–2014 to 9.7% (age-adjusted) |
| Obesity in adults aged 40–59 (peak age group) | 46.4% | Highest prevalence of any age group; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Obesity in adults aged 20–39 | 35.5% | NHANES August 2021–August 2023 |
| Obesity in adults aged 60+ | 38.9% | NHANES August 2021–August 2023 |
| Severe obesity — Women vs Men | 12.1% (women) / 6.7% (men) | Women have significantly higher severe obesity; NHANES 2021–23 |
| Obesity with high school diploma or less | 44.6% | vs. 31.6% with bachelor’s degree or higher |
| States where adult obesity is ≥ 25% (2024 BRFSS) | 100% — ALL states & territories | CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, December 2025 |
| States / territories with obesity ≥ 40% (2024) | Mississippi, West Virginia, and Guam | CDC BRFSS 2024 data |
| Regional obesity leaders (2024 BRFSS) | Midwest 35.9%, South 34.5% | Northeast 30.3%, West 30.2% — lowest regions |
| Annual healthcare cost of obesity | ~$173 billion | CDC Chronic Disease Facts & Stats (2025) |
| Obesity costs over next decade (projection) | ~$9.1 trillion (2025–2035) | 2024 industry projections |
Sources: NCHS Data Brief No. 508, September 2024 (www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db508.htm); CDC Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps 2024, updated December 3, 2025 (www.cdc.gov/obesity/data-and-statistics/adult-obesity-prevalence-maps.html); CDC Fast Facts: Chronic Disease (www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats).
The CDC’s latest measured data on adult obesity in the United States reveals a deeply entrenched public health problem. During August 2021 through August 2023, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that more than 4 in 10 US adults — 40.3% — have obesity. While this figure represents a plateau compared to the steep rise seen from 1999 to 2018, there is no comfort in the stabilization: severe obesity has continued to increase, rising from 7.7% in 2013–2014 to 9.7% based on age-adjusted estimates. Adults aged 40–59 have the highest obesity prevalence at 46.4%. The combination of a $173 billion annual healthcare cost and projected $9.1 trillion in cumulative costs over the next decade makes obesity one of the most expensive chronic conditions in US history.
The CDC’s 2024 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, updated in December 2025, deliver a particularly stark finding: every single US state and territory now has an adult obesity prevalence of at least 25% — meaning that in every corner of the country, at least 1 in 4 adults is living with obesity. The Midwest at 35.9% and the South at 34.5% lead the nation regionally, while Mississippi and West Virginia — along with Guam — are the only jurisdictions where adult obesity has crossed the 40% threshold. The education gradient is particularly telling: adults with a high school diploma or less have an obesity prevalence of 44.6%, compared to just 31.6% among those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This data confirms that obesity in the US is not just a health issue but a social and economic one, deeply intertwined with educational attainment, income, and geographic access to healthy food and safe spaces for physical activity.
Hypertension Statistics in the US 2026
| Indicator | Statistic | Details / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Overall adult hypertension prevalence | 47.7% (Aug 2021–Aug 2023) | NCHS Data Brief No. 511, October 2024 |
| Adult hypertension — Men vs Women | 50.8% (men) / 44.6% (women) | Men significantly higher; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Hypertension in adults aged 18–39 | 23.4% | Lowest age group prevalence; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Hypertension in adults aged 40–59 | 52.5% | More than half of middle-aged adults; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Hypertension in adults aged 60+ | 71.6% | More than 7 in 10 older adults; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Adults with hypertension who are aware of it | 59.2% | 40.8% remain unaware; NHANES 2021–2023 |
| Adults with hypertension taking medication | 51.2% | More than half receiving pharmacological treatment |
| Adults with controlled hypertension (<130/80) | Only 20.7% | A critically low blood pressure control rate |
| Hypertension prevalence (non-Hispanic Black) | 58% | Highest of any racial/ethnic group in the US |
| Hypertension deaths in the US (2023) | 664,470 deaths | Primary or contributing cause of death; CDC 2025 |
| Annual cost of high blood pressure to US | ~$131 billion/year | Averaged 2003–2014; CDC estimate |
| Projected CVD risk factor costs by 2050 | $1.344 trillion/year | From $400B in 2020 — AHA Presidential Advisory |
Sources: NCHS Data Brief No. 511, October 2024 (www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db511.htm); CDC High Blood Pressure Facts (www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/data-research/facts-stats, updated January 28, 2025); AHA Forecasting Economic Burden of CVD Through 2050, Circulation 2024.
Hypertension — commonly called the ‘silent killer’ — has firmly established itself as one of the most widespread metabolic and cardiovascular conditions in the United States. According to NCHS Data Brief No. 511 published in October 2024, 47.7% of all US adults — nearly 1 in 2 people — have hypertension as defined by a systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg or diastolic ≥80 mmHg, or current use of blood pressure medications. Among men specifically, the figure is even higher at 50.8%. What makes these numbers especially concerning is not just their size, but what happens after diagnosis. Only 59.2% of adults with hypertension are even aware of their condition, which means that roughly 40% — or tens of millions of Americans — are walking around with dangerously high blood pressure without knowing it. Of those who are aware, only 51.2% are taking medication, and of those, a mere 20.7% have their blood pressure under control.
The deadliness of uncontrolled hypertension is undeniable: in 2023, it was a primary or contributing factor in 664,470 deaths in the United States — making it one of the most lethal metabolic risk factors in the country. Racial disparities run sharp and deep in this data. Non-Hispanic Black adults have the highest hypertension prevalence at 58%, followed by Non-Hispanic White adults at 49%, Non-Hispanic Asian adults at 45%, and Hispanic adults at 39%. Looking toward the future, the American Heart Association’s forecasting data projects that the annual healthcare costs attributable to cardiovascular risk factors — which include hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia — will triple from $400 billion in 2020 to $1.344 trillion by 2050. Without dramatic improvements in detection, treatment, and blood pressure control rates, that projection seems not just possible, but likely.
Metabolic Syndrome Statistics in the US 2026
| Indicator | Statistic | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Overall MetS prevalence — US adults (2011–2016) | ~36.9% | Up from 32.5% in 2011; JAMA 2020 / NHANES data |
| MetS prevalence in Hispanic adults (2011–2016) | ~40.4% | Highest of any ethnic group; rose from 32.9% |
| MetS prevalence in Asian adults (2011–2016) | ~26.2% | Up from 19.9% — largest relative increase |
| MetS prevalence — Adults aged 60+ (all) | ~50% | Nearly half of older adults; Harvard Health / NHANES |
| MetS in Hispanic adults aged 60+ | ~60% | Nearly 6 in 10 older Hispanic adults — NHANES data |
| MetS among obese adults (NHANES 1999–2010) | 61.6% | CDC/PCD study; vs. 33.2% in overweight, 8.6% in normal wt |
| MetS prevalence in overweight adults | 33.2% | NHANES data; CDC Preventing Chronic Disease study |
| MetS prevalence in normal-weight adults | 8.6% | Still significant given large number of normal-weight adults |
| Americans with optimal metabolic health | Only 12.2% | UNC Gillings / NHANES 2009–2016 analysis |
| MetS incidence trend (1999–2014) | Increased from 27.6% to 32.3% | NHANES; Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022 |
| Physical inactivity among US adults (CDC) | ~40.8% | Defined as <10 min/week of moderate/vigorous activity |
Sources: Trends in Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome, JAMA 2020 (NHANES 2011–2016 data); CDC Preventing Chronic Disease 2020 (www.cdc.gov/pcd); Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022 — NHANES mortality data; UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health / NHANES 2009–2016; Harvard Health Publishing (2024).
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) — defined as the co-occurrence of at least three of the following: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose — is one of the most powerful predictors of future type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. According to NHANES data analyzed in a 2020 JAMA study, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US adults rose from 32.5% in 2011 to 36.9% in 2016, meaning that more than 1 in 3 American adults currently meets diagnostic criteria for this dangerous cluster of conditions. The disparity between racial and ethnic groups is striking. The fastest-growing group is Asian Americans, where MetS prevalence rose from 19.9% to 26.2%. Hispanic adults have the highest overall prevalence at 40.4%, and for Hispanic adults over age 60, the prevalence approaches 60% — a deeply concerning figure that points to heightened cardiovascular and diabetes risk in an aging Hispanic population.
The relationship between body weight and metabolic syndrome is direct and quantifiable. In obese adults, MetS prevalence reaches 61.6%, compared to 33.2% in overweight adults and 8.6% in those with normal weight. Yet the normal-weight figure should not be overlooked — because the total number of normal-weight adults in the US is so large, even at 8.6%, this represents millions of individuals who have metabolic syndrome without the clinical signal of obesity, making them more difficult to identify and treat. Compounding everything is a deep physical inactivity crisis: approximately 40.8% of US adults get fewer than 10 minutes per week of moderate or vigorous physical activity — a key driver of metabolic syndrome incidence. The fact that only 12.2% of Americans are metabolically healthy is the clearest single metric that captures just how far the nation is from optimal metabolic wellbeing.
NAFLD / MASLD (Fatty Liver Disease) Statistics in the US 2026
| Indicator | Statistic | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| NAFLD prevalence in the United States | ~38% of US adults | Up from ~25% in the 1990s — 50%+ increase in 3 decades |
| NAFLD prevalence globally (Americas) | Exceeds 40% | Highest regional prevalence globally; PMC 2023 |
| NAFLD in people with type 2 diabetes | 55–70% | Dramatically elevated risk; ADA Diabetes Spectrum 2024 |
| NAFLD incidence in type 2 diabetes patients | 65 per 1,000 person-years | vs. 44/1,000 in those without diabetes |
| NAFLD in adults with obesity (meta-analysis) | 57.5% | vs. 14.3% in children; ScienceDirect 2024 meta-analysis |
| NAFLD prevalence in obese children | 38.0% | vs. 14.3% overall in children (ages 6–29) |
| NAFLD — Men vs Women prevalence | More common in men; NASH more common in post-menopausal women | Consistent across multiple studies |
| NAFLD increase in young adults since early 2000s | ~40% increase | In ages 6–29; driven by obesity and hypertension |
| Projected 2040 NAFLD prevalence globally | ~55.7% | Bayesian forecast model; PMC 2022 |
| NASH prevalence (more severe form of NAFLD) | 5–7% globally; 37% in type 2 diabetes | Advanced fibrosis in 17% of T2D-NAFLD patients |
| NAFLD as leading indication for liver transplant (US) | Fastest-growing indication | NASH is #1 growing indication in the US (CGH 2021) |
Sources: Younossi ZM & Henry L, Diabetes Spectrum 2024 (ADA/NIDDK); Global Epidemiology of NAFLD, PMC 2023 (Riazi et al.); Global Prevalence of NAFLD Meta-Analysis, ScienceDirect 2024; Forecasted 2040 NAFLD Prevalence, PMC 2022; NHANES data accessed via CDC.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) — now increasingly referred to as Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) — has quietly become one of the most prevalent and under-diagnosed metabolic conditions in the United States. Current estimates place NAFLD prevalence at approximately 38% of US adults, a figure that represents a 50% increase over the past three decades. The Americas as a region have the highest NAFLD prevalence globally, exceeding 40%. The co-occurrence of NAFLD with type 2 diabetes is particularly alarming: between 55% and 70% of people with type 2 diabetes have NAFLD, and those with both conditions face dramatically higher risks of liver fibrosis, liver transplant, and death. The incidence rate of NAFLD in diabetes patients is 65 cases per 1,000 person-years — nearly 50% higher than in people without diabetes.
Children and young adults are not spared. The prevalence of NAFLD in children and young adults aged 6–29 has increased by approximately 40% since the early 2000s, driven primarily by the pediatric obesity epidemic and rising hypertension rates in younger populations. Among children with obesity, the NAFLD prevalence reaches 38%. On the severe end, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) — the progressive, inflammatory form of NAFLD — affects 5–7% of the general population globally, but 37% of people with type 2 diabetes, with advanced fibrosis in 17% of that diabetic-NAFLD population. NASH has now become the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation in the United States. If current trends hold, Bayesian forecasting models project global NAFLD prevalence reaching 55.7% by 2040 — making it a defining metabolic challenge of the coming decades.
Metabolic Disease Disparities by Race & Ethnicity in the US 2026
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Hypertension | Total Diabetes | Obesity (Severe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic Black | 58% — highest of all groups | 17.4% | Highest severe obesity (13.8% — 2017–18 data) |
| Non-Hispanic White | 49% | 13.6% | 42.2% obesity (2017–18) |
| Hispanic / Latino | 39% | ~22% (higher in older adults) | 44.8% obesity; MetS 40.4% |
| Non-Hispanic Asian | 45% | 16.7% | Lowest overall obesity (17.4%) but high MetS risk |
| American Indian / Alaska Native | High — exceeds national average | ~29%+ in some studies | Among highest nationally |
Sources: NCHS Data Brief No. 511 (hypertension by race); CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report 2024 (Table 1a); CDC MMWR 2024 — Cardiometabolic Diseases Among Racial/Ethnic Subgroups (BRFSS 2013–2021); NCHS Data Brief No. 360 (obesity by race 2017–18); NIDDK Diabetes Statistics (www.niddk.nih.gov).
The data on racial and ethnic disparities in metabolic disease in the United States is both consistent and deeply troubling. Across virtually every metabolic condition measured — diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and severe obesity — non-Hispanic Black adults bear a disproportionately heavy burden. With a hypertension prevalence of 58% and a diabetes prevalence of 17.4%, and the highest rates of severe obesity (13.8%) among racial groups, Black Americans are experiencing a compounded and interconnected metabolic disease burden that contributes significantly to life expectancy gaps. Hispanic adults — especially those aged 60 and over — show some of the highest metabolic syndrome rates at approximately 60%, along with a 44.8% obesity prevalence, suggesting a population in urgent need of targeted metabolic health interventions.
While non-Hispanic Asian adults have the lowest overall obesity prevalence at approximately 17.4%, their diabetes (16.7%) and hypertension (45%) rates remain high, indicating that BMI alone is not a sufficient screening tool for metabolic risk in Asian populations, who can develop insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome at lower body weights than other groups. A 2024 CDC MMWR study examining data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2013–2021) confirmed persistent and widespread racial and ethnic disparities in cardiometabolic diseases across the US. These disparities are not random — they reflect structural inequalities in food access, healthcare coverage, occupational stress, environmental factors, and the long shadow of systemic health inequities that the US public health system must urgently address.
Economic Burden of Metabolic Diseases in the US 2026
| Metabolic Condition | Estimated Annual Cost (US) | Projection / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes (diagnosed) | $412.9 billion total (2022) | $306.6B direct medical + $106.3B lost productivity — ADA 2022 |
| Obesity-related healthcare spending | ~$173 billion/year | CDC Chronic Disease Facts (2025) |
| Obesity — projected 10-year cost (2025–2035) | ~$9.1 trillion | Industry 2024 projections; rising trajectory |
| High blood pressure (hypertension) | ~$131 billion/year | Averaged over 2003–2014 period; CDC data |
| Physical inactivity healthcare costs | $192 billion/year | CDC — inadequate physical activity-linked spending |
| CVD risk factor costs (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol) | $400 billion/year (2020) | Projected to rise to $1.344 trillion/year by 2050 — AHA |
| NAFLD — patient and economic burden | High; growing rapidly | Low awareness among public and providers; ADA Spectrum 2024 |
| Workers’ comp claims — employees with obesity | Nearly 2x the claims | 7x higher medical claims; 11x higher indemnity claims vs. healthy BMI |
Sources: American Diabetes Association — Economic Costs of Diabetes in the US 2022; CDC Fast Facts: Chronic Conditions (www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease, August 2025); AHA Presidential Advisory — Forecasting Economic Burden of CVD to 2050, Circulation 2024; JAMA Network Open 2024 — Health Care Spending & BMI reduction; CDC High Blood Pressure Facts (January 2025).
The economic burden of metabolic diseases in the United States represents one of the most serious fiscal crises in American healthcare — and the numbers are accelerating. The total cost of diagnosed diabetes alone reached $412.9 billion in 2022, representing both the direct medical costs of managing the disease and the profound loss of workplace productivity it generates. Obesity adds another $173 billion annually in direct healthcare spending by the CDC’s own estimates, with some analyses suggesting the true figure exceeds $260 billion per year when accounting for all obesity-attributable conditions. The combined economic impact of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol — the primary cardiovascular metabolic risk factors — currently costs the US healthcare system $400 billion per year, a figure the American Heart Association projects will triple to $1.344 trillion annually by 2050 if current trends in prevalence continue.
The workplace dimension of metabolic disease costs is similarly alarming. Employees living with obesity file nearly twice as many workers’ compensation claims, generate 7 times higher medical claims costs, and produce 11 times more costly indemnity claims than colleagues with healthy body weight. For employers, this translates into enormous hidden costs beyond just healthcare premiums. Physical inactivity — one of the key behavioral drivers of metabolic disease — alone accounts for $192 billion per year in healthcare spending according to the CDC. What this data collectively tells us is that metabolic diseases are not just a personal health issue — they are a macroeconomic problem of staggering proportions, one that increasingly undermines employer productivity, strains federal entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and threatens the long-term fiscal sustainability of the American healthcare system as a whole.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
