As Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. states he is examining the factors contributing to the U.S.“obesity epidemic”in his effort to restore America to a "healthier state,"new datashows that the count of overweight adults in the nation has decreased from one year to the next in 2024.
Why It Matters
Obesity is an issue that impacts millions of Americans, as it is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing various health complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and strokes.As per the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), 40.3% of U.S. adults were classified as obese between August 2021 and August 2023, with increased prevalence observed in individuals aged 40 to 59. In total,One out of five children and two out of five adults are obese in the United States.
A research paper published earlier this year in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (JMCP)It is stated that 100 million American adults are dealing with obesity, with 75 percent experiencing health issues linked to their condition. According to researchers, their medical expenses surpass $261 billion. The CDC indicates that obesity imposes a cost of nearly $173 million annually on the U.S. healthcare system.
Healthy urvivalreached out to the Department of Health and Human Services via email on Wednesday for their response.
What To Know
A recent study from the non-profit Trust for America’s Health, titled the State of Obesity Report 2025, revealed that the number of states with adult obesity rates exceeding 35 percent decreased for the first time in the previous year, dropping from 23 to 19.
The group, which claims to be a nonpartisan entity focused on public health policy, research, and advocacy, derived its conclusions from an examination of 2024 data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) along with information from the 2021-2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
The highest adult obesity rates last year were recorded in West Virginia (41.4 percent), Mississippi (40.4 percent), and Louisiana (39.2 percent), according to the research. The states with the lowest rates of adult obesity were Colorado (25.0 percent), Hawaii (27.0 percent), and Massachusetts (27.0 percent), while Washington, D.C., had a rate of 25.5 percent.
The results also highlight additional elements that might be contributing to obesity levels across the country. Black and Latino adults residing in rural areas generally experienced higher obesity rates than those in metropolitan regions, whereas individuals with college educations and higher incomes were more likely to have lower obesity rates.
What People Are Saying
J. Nadine Gracia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trust for America’s Health,said in a statement:Ongoing policy focus and funding are necessary to address the structural obstacles that hinder healthy eating and exercise. It is essential for the government and other industries to invest in—rather than reduce—effective programs that promote proper nutrition and physical activity, ensuring they are accessible to every community.
Kennedy posted on X last year:Ultra-processed food is fueling the obesity crisis. When President Trump returns to the White House and I go to Washington, we will address our flawed food system and Make America Healthy Again.
What Happens Next
Although progress was achieved last year, Trust for America’s Health cautions that there are few grounds for celebration regarding these advancements.
The group suggested enhancing the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion within the CDC and called on the federal government to undo funding reductions that have already been made to nutrition programs, while also increasing the quality of the food provided.
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