For the first time in more than ten years, the obesity rate among adults in the United States has decreased slightly.
According to a study released in the JAMA Health Forum, the national obesity rate dropped from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. While this change may seem modest, it represents a significant milestone after more than a decade of increasing rates. Dr. Benjamin Rader, a computational epidemiologist and lead author of the study, told NBC News that the South led the way in this nationwide decline.
Interestingly, the study highlighted notable shifts in specific demographics. Significant decreases were observed among Black Americans, while Asian Americans experienced an increase in obesity rates. Women in the South, particularly those aged 66 to 75, were among those who saw substantial improvements in their obesity figures.
The research spanned 16.7 million adults over a decade, analyzing adults from varied backgrounds using body mass index (BMI) figures. While experts acknowledge BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat, it remains a widely used population-level indicator.
This encouraging news aligns with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report from September, which indicated that the overall growth of obesity in the U.S. had halted. According to their findings, approximately 40.3% of adults were considered obese, marking a slight decrease over the past three years.
Nevertheless, a separate study from mid-November spotlighted a growing concern: nearly three-quarters of Americans are categorized as either obese or overweight, with youths aged 5 to 24 showing alarming spikes. It’s clear that while a decline in overall obesity rates is promising, there remains considerable work ahead to address the country’s weight-related health issues.
These findings provide a glimmer of hope in the battle against obesity in the U.S., hinting at the effectiveness of public health initiatives. However, the journey continues as experts emphasize the need for sustained efforts to ensure these downward trends extend across all demographics.
Source: Yahoo
