Atlanta, Georgia – According to a recent government study, the obesity rate in the United States remains high and stable, with nearly 40% of the population affected. However, the proportion of individuals with severe obesity, particularly women, has increased over the past decade. Based on a survey conducted from 2021 to 2023 with about 6,000 participants, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that almost 1 in 10 individuals reported severe obesity. Women were found to be nearly twice as likely as men to report severe obesity.
The overall obesity rate showed a slight decline compared to the previous survey conducted from 2017 to 2020; however, the change was not considered statistically significant. This suggests that there may not have been a true decrease in obesity prevalence, leaving uncertainty around the effectiveness of new obesity treatments, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, in tackling this widespread health issue.
The study revealed a concerning trend showing that the rate of severe obesity has increased from nearly 8% in the 2013-2014 survey to almost 10% in the latest survey, while the overall obesity rate in the U.S. has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. Researchers determine obesity and severe obesity based on body mass index, with a BMI of 30 indicating obesity and a BMI of 40 or higher indicating severe obesity. Despite the limitations of using BMI as a screening tool, it continues to be widely utilized by healthcare professionals.
Experts express alarm over the rise in severe obesity, noting its strong association with serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Factors contributing to this trend, particularly the higher rates among women, remain unclear and warrant further investigation. The study also found variations in obesity rates based on education levels, with individuals holding a bachelor’s degree or higher reporting lower obesity rates compared to those with lower educational attainment.
The data released by U.S. states and territories also highlighted disparities in obesity rates across different regions, with the Midwest and the South reporting the highest rates. While efforts to understand obesity as a metabolic disease and the development of new interventions, such as advanced weight-loss drugs, offer hope, experts emphasize the importance of prevention, starting from early childhood. The challenge lies in preventing further weight gain once obesity develops, as reversing obesity at both individual and population levels proves to be incredibly challenging.