Even with strong efforts to fight obesity, the obesity rates still continue to grow within the U.S. As of 2014, roughly 38 percent of Americans were obese, rising from 35 percent in 2012. Although the rise may seem small, health experts suggest that it is actually quite significant.
Marion Nestle, Ph.D., from New York University, said, “The trend is very unfortunate and very disappointing. Everybody was hoping that with the decline in sugar and soda consumption, that we’d start seeing a leveling off of adult obesity.”
Advertisement
Obesity rates compared to a decade ago show the highest climb. In 2004 approximately 32 percent of American adults were obese.
Experts hoped that changes to the American diet could help slow down obesity rates but the incline still exists. Obesity rates began climbing in 1980 but flatlined in 2000, giving exerts a reason to believe obesity rates would start to drop.
Rates among younger children – ages two to 19 – have remained steady since 2003 and experts say that is due to all the initiatives that have been implemented to help children eat better and become more physically active. First lady, Michelle Obama, has played an active role in helping reduce obesity rates among children with her initiatives.
Minorities see the most alarming numbers when it comes to obesity rates. Fifty-seven percent of black women are reported to be obese, with Hispanic women not too far behind at 46 percent.
Advertisement
Experts suggest that modest improvements were unevenly spread across the nation, so while some states saw improvements in their obesity rates, others did not. Furthermore, there are large disparities between the lower and upper class when it comes to obesity.
Ultimately, experts across the board agree that current efforts are simply not enough, and more needs to be done if Americans are going to reduce their obesity rates.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
