This infographic from APA’s Stress in America™ pandemic survey shows different segments of adults who report undesired weight loss or undesired weight gain since the start of the pandemic.
The data breakdown for % reporting undesired weight change is as follows:
U.S. adults
18% of U.S. adults report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 26 lbs. 42% of U.S. adults report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 29 lbs.
Men
20% of men report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 25 lbs. 39% of men report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 37 lbs.
Women
17% of women report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 27 lbs. 45% of women report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 22 lbs.
Gen Z adults (ages 18–24)
22% of Gen Z adults report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 22 lbs. 52% of Gen Z adults report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 28 lbs.
Millennials (ages 25–42)
22% of Millennials report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 26 lbs. 48% of Millennials report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 41 lbs.
Xers (ages 43–56)
17% of Xers report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 24 lbs. 41% of Xers report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 21 lbs.
Boomers (ages 57–75)
14% of Boomers report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 26 lbs. 37% of Boomers report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 16 lbs.
Older adults (ages 76+)
5% of older adults report undesired weight loss and 25% report undesired weight gain. There was an insufficient sample size of older adults to report average pounds of unwanted weight loss or gain.
White adults
17% of White adults report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 22 lbs. 42% of White adults report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 30 lbs.
Hispanic adults
25% of Hispanic adults report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 27 lbs. 46% of Hispanic adults report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 28 lbs.
Black adults
22% of Black adults report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 38 lbs. 42% of Black adults report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 35 lbs.
Asian adults
16% of Asian adults report undesirable weight loss; there was an insufficient sample size to report average pounds lost. 38% of Asian adults report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 12 lbs.
Parents
22% of parents report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 29 lbs. 51% of parents report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 36 lbs.
Essential workers
24% of essential workers report undesired weight loss, with an average weight loss of 30 lbs. 50% of essential workers report undesired weight gain, with an average gain of 38 lbs.
