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US Adult Obesity Rates Stabilize, But Severe Obesity Still Rising. The CDC's latest report shows that around 40% of U.S. adults are obese, the first time in over a decade the obesity rate has not increased, CBS News reports. The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates the adult obesity rate at 40.3%, based on data from 2021 to 2023, slightly down from 2020’s 41.9%. Though the change isn't statistically significant, it marks a halt to rising obesity rates, which had increased almost yearly since 2011. Despite the stabilization, the obesity rate still exceeds the Healthy People 2030 target of 36%, showing the continued challenge of combating obesity. Adults aged 40 to 59 have the highest obesity rates at 46.4%, while those aged 20 to 39 have the lowest at 35.5%. The prevalence of severe obesity (BMI over 40) has risen to 9.4%, posing higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. A separate CDC survey revealed more than a third of adults in 23 states were obese in 2023, a significant increase from a decade ago. Dr. Karen Hacker emphasized the need for accessible healthcare, safe exercise spaces, and affordable healthy food to address the growing obesity problem. The new data comes ahead of a Senate hearing questioning drugmakers like Novo Nordisk over high prices for semaglutide drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic. The surge in demand for drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound has led to shortages, with experts estimating over 40,000 lives could be saved annually if such medications were affordable.
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