Obesity is an epidemic in America. Four out of 10 American adults meet the medical definition of obesity, putting them at risk for serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. New data shows the number of Americans who are severely obese is increasing.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found nearly 10% of adults 20 and older were severely obese last year, up from 7.7% in 2013. And now, one in five U.S. adults lives with obesity, the CDC said.
Obesity increases the risk of about 200 diseases and can lead to serious health conditions such as asthma, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. This was a risk factor for 3.7 million deaths in 2021.
The findings are from the 2021-2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of approximately 6,000 adults. Changes in obesity and severe obesity rates over the past decade are as follows:
Severe obesity is on the rise
The prevalence of severe obesity was 9.4% among adults from August 2021 to August 2023, the most recent data available. However, the rate of severe obesity in women was nearly twice as high as in men.
Women aged 40 to 59 years had the highest prevalence of severe obesity compared to all other ages. Almost 15% of women in this age group report having severe obesity.
How do obesity rates vary by state?
Recently released data from the CDC shows that 23 states have adult obesity rates of 35% or higher, compared to 22 states in 2022 and 19 states in 2021.
Until 2013, no state exceeded the 35% threshold for adult obesity. Looking at adult obesity rates by state highlights the need for public health support at a more local level, according to the CDC.
West Virginia had the highest percentage of adults with obesity, with a prevalence of 41%. Obesity rates were highest in the South and Midwest states, according to the CDC study.
These states have the highest adult obesity rates (over 35%).
Alabama Alaska Arkansas Delaware Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Michigan Mississippi Missouri Nebraska New Mexico North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee West Virginia Wisconsin
Guam and Puerto Rico have populations with over 35% obesity rates.
Americans don’t choose to be fat: Many live in a system they can’t control.
How can communities address obesity?
According to the CDC, ensuring access to healthy foods, safe spaces for physical activity, non-stigmatizing obesity prevention and treatment programs, and evidence-based medical services such as medications and surgery can combat obesity. This is an example of how to prevent it.
Karen Hacker is director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. She said there is no one approach to dealing with obesity, saying, “Obesity is a disease caused by many factors, including dietary patterns, physical activity levels, sleeping habits, genetics, and certain medications. It means there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
“But key strategies that work include addressing the underlying social determinants of health, such as access to health care, healthy and affordable food, and safe spaces for physical activity. I understand.”
What is causing America’s obesity epidemic?
USA TODAY analyzed how Americans’ weight has changed in recent years, including advances in treatments and the scientific understanding of obesity. Reporters spoke with more than 50 experts in nutrition, endocrinology, psychology, exercise physiology, neuroscience, and others with knowledge of weight gain issues. This is what they discovered.
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