US &
Canada
Canada
US obesity rates 'rising
for first time since 2004'
for first time since 2004'
- 12 November 2015
- From the section US & Canada
Obesity
rates are rising again among American adults, despite national efforts to
promote healthy lifestyles.
rates are rising again among American adults, despite national efforts to
promote healthy lifestyles.
Rates of
obesity had been climbing dramatically since the 1980s but started levelling
off in about 2004.
obesity had been climbing dramatically since the 1980s but started levelling
off in about 2004.
This
latest study means they are rising again - to nearly 38% in 2013-14, up from
about 32% a decade ago.
latest study means they are rising again - to nearly 38% in 2013-14, up from
about 32% a decade ago.
The
numbers come from a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, using a national survey of about 5,000 people.
numbers come from a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, using a national survey of about 5,000 people.
National
campaigns have been aimed at lowering obesity rates in the US, such as First
Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, which offers programming
for exercise and healthy eating among youths.
campaigns have been aimed at lowering obesity rates in the US, such as First
Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, which offers programming
for exercise and healthy eating among youths.
Stacey Snelling,
a nutritionist teaching at American University, told the BBC that the rise in
obesity rates could be due to the healthy eating campaigns losing their
effectiveness.
a nutritionist teaching at American University, told the BBC that the rise in
obesity rates could be due to the healthy eating campaigns losing their
effectiveness.
Over the
past 10 years, much of the focus has been on food and nutrition for keeping
obesity at bay, but now people were "losing attention" to that
message, she said, so perhaps now it was time to focus on exercise.
past 10 years, much of the focus has been on food and nutrition for keeping
obesity at bay, but now people were "losing attention" to that
message, she said, so perhaps now it was time to focus on exercise.
"Our
initial reaction to the obesity epidemic - limited sugary beverages and fried
food - that only works to a point," said Ms Snelling.
initial reaction to the obesity epidemic - limited sugary beverages and fried
food - that only works to a point," said Ms Snelling.
The
consumption of fizzy drinks has fallen in recent years and fast-food chains now
offer healthier menus, but these kinds of public health problems are complex,
she adds.
consumption of fizzy drinks has fallen in recent years and fast-food chains now
offer healthier menus, but these kinds of public health problems are complex,
she adds.
Image
copyright Press Association Image caption The US focused on cutting out fried
foods and sugary drinks in past years
copyright Press Association Image caption The US focused on cutting out fried
foods and sugary drinks in past years
Many
companies have introduced things like treadmill desks and incentives to
exercise with pedometers and staff-wide contests - but not all have taken a
stake in employees' health.
companies have introduced things like treadmill desks and incentives to
exercise with pedometers and staff-wide contests - but not all have taken a
stake in employees' health.
"With
adults, the corporate environment has not changed as dramatically as schools
have," she said.
adults, the corporate environment has not changed as dramatically as schools
have," she said.
Obesity
prevalence was found to be much higher for adult women than adult men - 38%
compared to 34.3%.
prevalence was found to be much higher for adult women than adult men - 38%
compared to 34.3%.
Study
author Cynthia Ogden told the BBC that this study marked the first time in many
years that higher women's obesity rates were statistically significant.
author Cynthia Ogden told the BBC that this study marked the first time in many
years that higher women's obesity rates were statistically significant.
"That's
kind of a new finding," said Ms Ogden. "Now, what's happened is
prevalence in women has gone above what it was in men again."
kind of a new finding," said Ms Ogden. "Now, what's happened is
prevalence in women has gone above what it was in men again."
Non-Hispanic
black and Hispanic adults and youth are experiencing higher rates of obesity
than their white counterparts, the study found.
black and Hispanic adults and youth are experiencing higher rates of obesity
than their white counterparts, the study found.
Between
black men and women, there is a significant difference for rates of obesity -
women's rates soar above men's at 57% compared to 38%.
black men and women, there is a significant difference for rates of obesity -
women's rates soar above men's at 57% compared to 38%.
Socio-economic
forces determine the health status of any group of people, said Ms Snelling.
forces determine the health status of any group of people, said Ms Snelling.
Reporting
by Ashley Gold
by Ashley Gold
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