Obesity rates among adults have dipped slightly for the first time in over a decade. But this small decline actually masks a larger issue: severe obesity rates continue to rise.
Nearly half of American adults live with the condition: 40.3% are obese while 9.4% are severely obese.
Obesity: A Complex Disease
Obesity is a complex disease, and those who experience it face a range of emotions. The stigma, discrimination and shame associated with chronic obesity can also be strong, stemming from a misperception that personal choice and a lack of self-control are the root causes of weight gain.
The highest rates of disease are in the Midwest and South, with Black and Hispanic adults experiencing higher rates of obesity than their white, non-Hispanic neighbors. Asian adults post the lowest rates. While some of these differences may be genetic, cultural and economic risk factors also contribute to higher rates in under-resourced communities. Other contributing factors include genetic conditions, stress, poor sleep, and gut health as well as access to fresh food and health care.
Treatment Options
Regardless of cause, the health risks associated with obesity are intensifying, as demonstrated by a similar rise in associated chronic health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis and asthma. The economic impact is climbing and military readiness among young people is down. Taken together, the urgency to treat obesity has never been greater.
While Americans should not lose focus on lifestyle habits like good nutrition and regular physical activity, new medications may provide a boost to those who need additional support sheading excess weight.
The injectable medications, called GLP-1 agonists, contain an active ingredient that mimics an appetite-control hormone. They were first used for diabetes but have been proven effective for obesity management, as well.
Keeping Data in Perspective
Federal health officials cautioned observers not to reach premature conclusions about the slight dip in obesity rates, as the raw numbers of individuals impacted by the disease continue to rise.
Instead, health insurers, employers and lawmakers should take the opportunity to promote research-based lifestyle programs and embrace policies that support access to approved pharmacologic treatments. The 90 million Americans living with obesity deserve more than a headline in their quest to overcome the disease.
