Obesity increasing more in US states, lower in young and educated

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
22 Sep 2023 09:57

Just ten years ago, no state had an adult obesity rate at or above 35% per the CDC, but their new data shows that the highest recorded was in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, where over 40% of adults had obesity.

A man on an electric scooter makes his way with other pedestrians in New York on July 1, 2015. (AFP)

New data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the issue of obesity has become more common in more states.

22 states recorded at least 35% of resident adults with obesity, which was up from 19 states the year prior in 2021.

Just ten years ago, no state had an adult obesity rate at or above 35% per the CDC, but their new data shows that the highest recorded was in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, where over 40% of adults had obesity.

It was also demonstrated that the highest prevalence was in the Midwest and the South, recording around 36% of adults with obesity. In the Northeast and West, it was around 30% of adults.

The data is derived from a survey conducted by the CDC and state health departments called the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, published on Thursday, which described finding “notable differences” by race and ethnicity.

If the body mass index was at least 30, based on self-reported height and weight measurements, then adults were considered obese.

'Underlying social determinants'

It was reported that a minimum of 35% of Black adults had obesity in 38 states, and the same goes for Indigenous American adults in 33 states and Latino adults in 32 states. As for Asian adults, it did not surpass 35% in any state, and in only 14 states was this number recorded for white adults.

Regarding age, the lowest rates were among young adults, with almost 1 in 5 people aged 18 to 24 considered obese. That was almost twice as high among adults aged 45 to 54, at about 2 in 5 people, per the CDC.

However, obesity decreased as the level of education increased.

In a statement, Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said, "Our updated maps send a clear message that additional support for obesity prevention and treatment is an urgent priority. Obesity is a disease caused by many factors, including eating patterns, physical activity levels, sleep routines, genetics, and certain medications. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all approach."

She added: “However, we know the key strategies that work include addressing the underlying social determinants of health such as access to healthcare, healthy and affordable food, and safe places for physical activity.”

Obesity is even expected to cost the global economy 3.3% of the GDP by 2060, slowing development in low-income countries and making it difficult for people to live healthy lives, as per a new study published in BMJ Global Health exactly last year.