CDC estimates for 2023 put adult obesity at 33.3% in San Bernardino County and 37.0% in Riverside County, compared with 27.7% of adults in California as a whole. Both county health departments report the same pattern: obesity in the Inland Empire runs higher than the state average. Together the two counties are home to about 4.8 million people, according to the US Census Bureau.
What the CDC estimates show for each county
The CDC's PLACES project produces local estimates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national telephone survey of adults. The figures below are age-adjusted, which means they are weighted so that counties with older or younger populations can be compared fairly. Obesity here means a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, based on reported height and weight.
| Adults, 2023 (age-adjusted) | San Bernardino County | Riverside County | Los Angeles County |
|---|
| Obesity | 33.3% | 37.0% | 26.4% |
| Diagnosed diabetes | 11.8% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| High blood pressure | 31.6% | 31.2% | 28.4% |
Source: CDC PLACES, County Data, 2025 release. For comparison, the CDC's statewide BRFSS figure for California adults with obesity was 27.7% in 2023 and 29.1% in 2024. The statewide figure comes directly from the survey, while PLACES figures are modeled, so treat the comparison as a broad pattern rather than an exact gap.
Estimates for nearby cities
PLACES also estimates obesity for individual cities. Each figure has a range, shown in brackets, because these are statistical estimates rather than counts.
| City | Adult obesity, 2023 (age-adjusted) |
|---|
| Rancho Cucamonga | 29.6% (25.6 to 33.5) |
| Upland | 30.2% (26.3 to 34.3) |
| Claremont | 22.7% (20.3 to 25.2) |
| Ontario | 33.5% (29.2 to 37.8) |
| Fontana | 33.1% (28.9 to 37.4) |
| Redlands | 29.5% (25.6 to 33.6) |
| San Bernardino | 37.5% (33.0 to 42.0) |
| Riverside | 37.5% (33.5 to 41.7) |
| Corona | 34.9% (31.0 to 38.9) |
Source: CDC PLACES, Place Data, 2025 release. Where ranges overlap, the difference between two cities may not be real. Claremont is in Los Angeles County but sits next to Upland and is included for neighbors of the Red Oak Street office.
What the county health departments report
San Bernardino County
The county's Community Indicators report, using the California Health Interview Survey, found that in 2024, 36.5% of adults in San Bernardino County had obesity and another 32.3% were overweight, against 27.8% obesity statewide. The same source found 19.8% of children under 18 were overweight for their age, compared with 15.5% in California.
The county's 2024 Community Health Assessment, published by the Department of Public Health, reported that adult obesity rose from 30.6% in 2017 to 38.1% in 2021. It named chronic disease as one of three priority health issues, alongside behavioral health and injury and violence prevention.
Riverside County
Riverside University Health System's 2024 Community Health Assessment asked residents to name the most important health problems in the county. Obesity or overweight was chosen by 29.7% of the 4,804 respondents, the fourth most common answer, after mental health problems, shortages of health professionals and delays in access to care. The assessment also notes that obesity and physical inactivity have played a major role in the rise of type 2 diabetes in the county.
Why the numbers differ between sources
You will see different obesity rates for the same county depending on the survey, the year and the method. The CDC figures above are modeled from a national phone survey, while the county indicators use the California Health Interview Survey. The consistent message across sources is more useful than any single number: adult obesity in both counties is above the state average, and in San Bernardino County it has risen in recent years.
What this means for people with a band, or thinking about one
Obesity is a long-term condition, and treatment often has to change over the years. Many Inland Empire residents had a Lap-Band placed a decade or more ago. If yours is still working, a yearly band checkup helps keep it that way. If weight has returned or the band is causing symptoms, see keep, adjust or remove your Lap-Band. If you are starting fresh, the site's guide to weight loss surgery candidacy explains current eligibility, and weight loss medications covers non-surgical options.
Frequently asked questions
Why does one source say 33% and another 38% for San Bernardino County?
They measure different things in different ways. The CDC's 33.3% is a modeled, age-adjusted estimate for 2023. The county's 36.5% comes from the California Health Interview Survey in 2024, and the 38.1% from the county's health assessment refers to 2021. Each is a reasonable estimate. All of them place the county above the California average.
Is my city's obesity rate a reliable number?
It is a reasonable estimate, not a count. The CDC builds city figures from survey data combined with population information, and each comes with a range. When ranges overlap, as they do for Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and Redlands, the cities may not truly differ. Use city figures to see broad patterns, not to rank one city against another.
Can I look up obesity data for my own neighborhood?
Yes. The CDC's PLACES project also publishes estimates by census tract and by ZIP code tabulation area, which roughly matches ZIP codes. They are available through the CDC's open data portal. Smaller areas have wider ranges, so use the numbers to compare neighborhoods broadly rather than precisely.
Does a BMI of 30 by itself mean I need treatment?
No. BMI is a screening measure that combines height and weight; it does not measure health directly. Whether treatment makes sense depends on your weight-related conditions, what you have tried, and your goals. Surgery and medication each have their own eligibility rules, which a consultation can walk through.
Talk with Dr. Davtyan in Rancho Cucamonga
Dr. David G. Davtyan, MD, FACS, FICS, FASMBS, sees Inland Empire patients at 8330 Red Oak Street, Suite 201, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Call 909-355-2525 or toll free 877-9-BE-SLIM (877-923-7546); the first consultation is complimentary and Spanish is spoken. You can also reach the office through the contact page or start with the Lap-Band in Rancho Cucamonga guide.
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