Significant increase in severe obesity among U.S. adults over the past decade
The prevalence of severe obesity among adults in the United States has risen steadily over the past decade, according to a research letter published online on 13 February in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Samuel D. Emmerich, D.V.M., from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, and colleagues conducted an analysis using data from 41,449 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study spanned multiple survey cycles, from 2013–2014 to the most recent period of August 2021–August 2023, to assess trends in obesity prevalence across different age groups and demographics in the United States.
Key Findings from the Study
Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Trends
The researchers found that among children younger than 24 months, the prevalence of high weight-for-length remained stable at 8.1% throughout the study period. However, the overall rate of obesity among children and adolescents showed a gradual increase, rising by an average of 0.44 percentage points annually, reaching a prevalence of 21.1% by the most recent survey period.
Obesity Prevalence in Adults
Among adults, general obesity rates remained largely unchanged across different sex and age groups, with one notable exception. Adults aged 40 to 59 years saw an increase in obesity prevalence, which reached 40.3% in this age group.
Severe Obesity on the Rise
A particularly concerning trend highlighted in the study is the increase in severe obesity among adults. Over the ten-year period, the prevalence of severe obesity increased by an average of 0.23 percentage points per year, reaching 9.4% by the most recent data collection period. Women and individuals aged 40 to 59 years were disproportionately affected by this increase.
Additionally, the study reported that, between August 2021 and August 2023, the prevalence of high waist circumference among adults was 57.6%, highlighting a growing concern regarding central adiposity, which is strongly linked to cardiometabolic risk factors.
Authors’ Conclusions
The authors summarised their findings by stating, “From 2013 to 2014 to August 2021 to August 2023, there were small increases in the percentage of children and adolescents with obesity, as well as in adults with severe obesity (but not obesity).”
These findings underscore the continued rise in severe obesity among adults, particularly in middle-aged populations and women, reinforcing the need for sustained public health interventions and policies aimed at addressing obesity-related health risks across different age groups.
