The Scary Truth About Obesity Statistics
October 21, 2013Seven Obesity Facts That You Will Wish Were Fiction!
With the heightened awareness and attention to the obesity epidemic in recent years you would expect there to be some good news in the data researchers are studying. But according to a report published by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the obesity statistics in the United States did not show signs of improvement in the 2011-2012 year.
Data collecting for the yearly study includes approximately 5,000 individuals who are surveyed using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The participants are given physical exams and answer a multitude of health and nutrition related questions. The 2011-2012 survey results revealed the following:
1. Over one-third of adults (34.9%) in the United States were obese.
2. Obesity rates amongst adults did not decline from 2009—2010 and 2011—2012.
3. Over 78 million adults were obese in 2011—2012 with most of the obese adults being non-Hispanic white. (Over 50 million!)
4. Middle-aged adults (40 to 59-years-old) had higher obesity rates than younger or older adults.
5. The prevalence of obesity was highest amongst Black Americans (47.8%) and lowest amongst Asian Americans (10.8%).
6. The prevalence of obesity amongst adults in the United States is still above the Healthy People 2020 goal of 30.5%.
7. The disparities in obesity prevalence was revealed to be high amongst Hispanic adults.