There’s a crisis happening.
Obesity rates in the United States remain high and stable, but recent government research indicates that the prevalence of severe obesity, particularly among women, has increased over the past decade. According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) involving approximately 6,000 participants from 2021 to 2023, the national obesity rate is around 40%. Notably, nearly 10% of those surveyed identified as severely obese, with women almost twice as likely as men to fall into this category.
While the overall obesity rate showed a slight decline compared to the 2017-2020 survey, the change was not statistically significant, indicating that there is not enough evidence to conclude that a real decline has occurred. This uncertainty leaves questions regarding the effectiveness of new obesity treatments, including popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, in combating this chronic disease associated with numerous health complications. Dr. Samuel Emmerich, the CDC public health officer who led the study, expressed hope that future research could better link prescription medication use with changes in obesity rates.
Alarmingly, the rise in severe obesity—from nearly 8% in 2013-2014 to close to 10% in the most recent data—contrasts with the overall stagnation in obesity rates over the last decade. The classification of obesity and severe obesity is based on body mass index (BMI), where a BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity and a BMI of 40 or above denotes severe obesity. Although BMI has its limitations, it continues to be the standard measurement used by healthcare professionals for obesity screening. According to Solveig Cunningham, an expert in global health and obesity at Emory University, the increase in severe obesity is concerning due to its strong association with heightened risks for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and reduced quality of life.
The study also revealed that obesity rates differ based on educational attainment; around 32% of individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher reported being obese, compared to approximately 45% of those with less education. Furthermore, a recent report highlighted significant disparities in obesity rates across U.S. states, ranging from over 41% in West Virginia to under 24% in Washington, D.C. The Midwest and South exhibited the highest rates of obesity, with all states showing rates above 20%, and in 23 states, more than one in three adults were classified as obese—a stark increase since 2013.
While the current obesity landscape presents challenges, experts like Dr. Alyson Goodman of the CDC emphasize the importance of addressing obesity as a metabolic disease and implementing new interventions, including weight-loss drugs. The prevention of obesity, particularly starting in childhood, is crucial for combating this epidemic. Cunningham noted the difficulty in reversing obesity both individually and at a population level, suggesting that the lack of significant reductions in obesity rates is not unexpected.
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