The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a mixed bag of news on the obesity front in the United States. On the positive side, the obesity rate in adults has finally stopped climbing in recent years. However, the rate of childhood obesity continues to rise, and the overall number of obese Americans is still far too high.
According to the CDC’s findings, the obesity rate among adults aged 20 and over was 42.4% in 2017-2018. This is down slightly from the peak of 42.7% in 2013-2014. However, it is still significantly higher than the rate of 30.5% in 2000.
The news is more troubling for children and adolescents. The obesity rate among children aged 2-19 was 19.3% in 2017-2018, up from 13.9% in 2000. And the rate of severe obesity, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile, has more than tripled since 2000.
Overall, the CDC estimates that there are now more than 117 million obese adults and 13.7 million obese children and adolescents in the United States. Obesity is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It is also a leading cause of preventable death.
The CDC’s findings underscore the need for continued efforts to address the obesity epidemic in the United States. These efforts should focus on promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and reducing the consumption of sugary drinks.
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