September 22, 2023 – In 22 states across the country, multiple in three adults suffer from obesity, in response to latest data released Thursday by the CDC. That's up from 19 states in 2021 and none a decade ago.
Obesity occurs when an individual's weight is higher than what is taken into account healthy based on their height.
Nationwide, no state had an obesity prevalence of lower than 20%, meaning no less than one in five people in every state has obesity.
The agency called for a greater give attention to improving people's access to health care, healthy and inexpensive food, and protected places for physical activity.
The latest numbers “send a clear signal that additional support for the prevention and treatment of obesity is an urgent priority,” Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, director of the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said in a opinion. “Obesity is a disease caused by many factors, including eating habits, physical activity, sleeping habits, genetics and certain medications. This means there is no one-size-fits-all approach.”
The 22 states where 35% or more of adults had obesity in 2022 are: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
A review of obesity data for racial or ethnic groups on the state level found that individuals of color are more affected by the disease obesity. When CDC analysts examined racial or ethnic groups individually by state, they found the next:
- 14 states with no less than 35% of white adults obese.
- 32 states where no less than 35% of Hispanic adults have obesity.
- 33 states with no less than 35% of American Indian or Alaska Native adults obese.
- 38 states with no less than 35% of black adults obese.
Washington, DC was the one a part of the US where fewer than 25% of adults suffered from obesity. The highest obesity rates occurred in Louisiana (40%), Oklahoma (40%) and West Virginia (41%).
People self-reported that they’ve obesity within the CDC's annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey, which incorporates greater than 400,000 respondents annually.
Obesity puts people at increased risk of many other serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, poor mental health and severe consequences of COVID-19.
The CDC has provided the following pointers for combating obesity:
- Eat healthy by following the National Dietary Guidelinessimilar to consuming primarily vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods while limiting sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and alcohol.
- Get the quantity of physical activity really helpful by the National Physical Activity GuidelinesB. no less than 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, preferably spread over no less than three days for many adults.
- Participate in community efforts to extend opportunities for healthier eating and physical activity.
- If you weigh greater than really helpful, shed some pounds to scale back your risk of chronic disease.
- Get enough sleep.
- Cope with stress.
- Talk to your doctor about ways to stop and treat obesity.