Despite the skyrocketing use of GLP-1 drugs to lose weight, a new study published last week is signaling that the rate of obesity throughout the U.S. will continue to increase over the next decade. Here is a look at what the recent study revealed about obesity rates in the U.S., including what demographics have been the most vulnerable.

Obesity Rates Inch Up Over Last Three Decades

The number of obese adults in the U.S. has increased significantly over the past 30 years, with researchers warning that these rates will continue to rise over the next decade. A new study published last week in JAMA detailed that researchers found that 19.2% of American adults were obese in 1990. This percentage jumped to 42.5% by 2022. What is most alarming is the prediction that the percentage will hit 46.9% by 2035.

The researchers analyzed data across a total of 11,315,421 participants using two different cross-sectional surveys representative of the U.S. population. Nutritional and health experts say that the results of the surveys are not surprising, as obesity continues to inch up for a variety of different reasons.

Critics of the study said that the researchers used an outdated method to measure the rates of obesity. The scientists defined obesity using the traditional body mass index (BMI) measurement. This method takes into account height and weight to determine levels of obesity.

The study's authors recognized this limitation, noting that BMI does "not directly measure body fat or account for body composition." The authors also detailed that the errors may differ across the various demographic groups examined. Other potential limitations of this study include spotty data in some parts of the country, as well as the fact that the health information was self-reported.

Difference in Obesity Rates Across Various Demographics

As has been the case with previous studies, there were significant differences in the prevalence of obesity within various sex, age, race, and ethnic groups. For instance, the largest increases in obesity rates were observed in Hispanic males and females. Conversely, the lowest rate of increase was reported among non-Hispanic Black males.

Diving a bit deeper into the data, in 2022, non-Hispanic Black females came in with the highest obesity rates at 56.9%. Hispanic males, non-Hispanic White males and females, and non-Hispanic Black males had obesity rates that fell between 40.1% and 42.6%.

The results also raised alarm bells by showing an increase in obesity in younger populations over the last several decades. This is particularly concerning because the earlier onset raises the risk of future health problems down the road.

There was also a great discrepancy in obesity rates in different states. For instance, although white males and females demonstrated similar rates of obesity, the likelihood was lower in the District of Columbia and highest for residents of nearby West Virginia. When looking at the Hispanic population, obesity rates were the highest in the Midwest and the South. Oklahoma scored especially low for females, while the state of Indiana was the worst for males.

The study's authors explained the disparities, noting that they are the result of several factors. These lines of delineation could be attributed to food insecurity, race-based discrimination, and different levels of access to nutritious food and available space for exercise. It is not unusual for physical inactivity and a poor diet to go hand-in-hand.

The differences among population groups reflect the stark socioeconomic disparities present when measuring obesity rates. The silver lining is that this information can be used to launch interventions that target specific challenges facing those with a higher risk of obesity.

Nutrition experts continue to advocate for personalized plans designed to target the problem. However, these plans are hard to come by, particularly in populations without quality health insurance, the same demographic that is also most likely to suffer from obesity.

Why the Research is Important

This research is important, as obesity continues to present serious health concerns for the American population. Individuals who are overweight or obese are at a much higher risk of developing various diseases and health conditions. These include a higher risk of high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, mental health conditions, many types of cancer, and body pain.

BMI is calculated as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. For those over the age of 20, a BMI of 25 to 30 is considered to be overweight. Obesity is clinically defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

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