For the first time in ten years, the United States is witnessing a decline in obesity rates, according to a recent study involving 17 million participants.
Researchers disclosed that between 2013 and 2023, the obesity rate in the U.S. experienced a minor decrease of 0.15%. While this may seem insignificant at first glance, Benjamin Rader from Boston Children’s Hospital pointed out, “When you actually look at the population, what that translates to is hundreds of thousands of people.”
The study also highlights potential causes for this shift, such as the increased use of semaglutide medications like those found in Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs, often prescribed for type 2 diabetes and clinical obesity, work by altering brain chemistry related to feeling full. A staggering statistic reveals that about 6% of the U.S. population has used these medications.
There is, however, a recognition of the limitations of using Body Mass Index (BMI) as a metric for obesity evaluation. Researchers suggested that future studies should explore other body composition methods and delve deeper into why these changes are happening, including considering both medication use and changes in behavior post-pandemic.
The South showed the most significant decrease in obesity rates, which aligns with the region’s high rates of GLP-1RA prescriptions. This medication trend appears to be a contributing factor to the observed reduction in obesity, despite it still being a pressing health issue nationwide.
The study’s authors emphasized that this decrease is an encouraging sign, yet obesity remains a substantial public health concern. With growing numbers, especially among younger individuals, a holistic approach to understanding and addressing obesity is still urgently needed.
The recent decline in obesity rates in the U.S., while modest, is a step in the right direction. However, it showcases the need for ongoing efforts to tackle obesity through a combination of effective medication use and lifestyle changes.
Source: Yahoo
