America has seen a dramatic rise in rise in obesity rates with more than 20% of adults in every U.S. state are now living with obesity, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. The Midwest and the South are the most affected regions.
In 23 states, more than one in three adults (35%) are classified as obese. Before 2013, no state had such a high obesity prevalence. The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data emphasizes the urgent need for solutions.
WIDESPREAD IMPACT OF OBESITY IN THE U.S.
Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, stressed the importance of community-driven prevention efforts. “We need to build healthier communities where people of all ages have access to safe spaces for physical activity and affordable healthy food,” she stated. Dr. Hacker also highlighted the importance of preventing obesity in children, as they often grow into adults with obesity.
The 23 states with adult obesity rates of 35% or higher include 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, and Wisconsin. Additionally, Puerto Rico and Guam also have rates exceeding 35%.
OBESITY BY RACE AND ETHNICITY
Obesity affects different racial and ethnic groups disproportionately. According to combined BRFSS data from 2021 to 2023:
- Asian adults: No state reported an obesity prevalence of 35% or higher.
- White adults: 16 states had an obesity prevalence of 35% or more.
- American Indian or Alaska Native adults: 30 states reported an obesity prevalence of 35% or higher.
- Hispanic adults: 34 states had obesity rates at or above 35%.
- Black adults: 38 states reported obesity prevalence at 35% or more.
OBESITY’S COMPLEX CAUSES
Dr. Ruth Petersen, Director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, addressed common misconceptions about obesity. “Obesity is a complex disease,” she said. “Many think it’s about willpower or individual failings, but multiple factors contribute.”
These factors include:
- Genes
- Certain medications
- Poor sleep
- Gut microbiome
- Stress
- Limited access to affordable food and safe spaces for physical activity
- Barriers to healthcare access
Understanding these causes is crucial to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
CDC’S EFFORTS TO COMBAT OBESITY
The CDC works with communities, states, and tribes to reduce obesity rates and improve public health. The agency invests in programs such as SPAN, HOP, and REACH, which focus on increasing access to healthy food, creating safe spaces for physical activity, and promoting stigma-free obesity treatment.
These programs support 17 states, 50 community and tribal organizations, and 16 land-grant universities.
OBESITY TREATMENT OPTIONS: MEDICATIONS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES
In addition to community-level initiatives, new obesity treatment options have become available. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a class of obesity medications called GLP-1s. These drugs can be combined with lifestyle changes and health behaviour interventions to achieve better outcomes for those struggling with obesity.
Health Risks Associated with Obesity
Obesity can lead to a range of serious health conditions. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are considered obese. The disease significantly increases the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Asthma
- Certain cancers
- Severe outcomes from respiratory illnesses
Moreover, the social stigma surrounding obesity can also cause mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and poor body image.
TACKLING OBESITY: A NATIONAL PRIORITY
The sharp rise in obesity across the U.S. is a wake-up call for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities. The CDC emphasizes the need for widespread efforts to build healthier environments, improve access to care, and reduce the stigma associated with obesity.
By investing in prevention and treatment programs, the nation can address the root causes of this growing public health crisis.
