What are the Latest Obesity Statistics?
A look at the prevalence of obesity shows a problem getting worse. According to WHO based info in 2005, obesity in women had reached 42% and approximately 36% in men in the United States alone. This is up from a combined overweight and obesity of a rate of 22% in 2002. To say the prevalence of obesity is increasing is an understatement.
Not only that, the relationship between race, income and education and the incidence of obesity all have linear relationships. The Black as an ethnicity have a higher rate of obesity, the lower the income, the higher the risk for obesity and the more educated you are, the lower the risk for obesity according to CDC 2006 prevalence data.
The prevalence of obesity in CDC’s prevalence table for 2006 is 25.1 % in the US with a whopping 36.5% overweight meaning that 61.6% of the US population in 2006 was either overweight or obese. These statistics are lower to the WHO generated statistics in 2005 showing a decrease in obesity according to CDC’s most recent data. But the combined rate of overweight and obesity has tripled from 22% to almost 62% in two years!!!!
These data, showing that 61.6 of our population has a BMI greater than 25 shows that we are a nation at risk for diabetes, heart diseases, and some forms of cancer just because of our weight. There may be some hope in the data that shows that obesity, a BMI >30, may be actually declining despite our overall “weighty” problem.
It appears that the most difference will be made by public policy geared at the low-income, under-educated black population as far as targeted community nutrition programs. It is by nature of the lack of income and knowledge that causes poor food choices. Furthermore, better food choices are frequently higher priced (like lean protein sources), carbohydrates are cheaper and more abundantly produced and fresh fruits and vegetables are too pricey. What is needed is a high quality diet, limited in high glycemic carbohydrates, high in monounsaturated fats but low in total fats and sugar. Controlled portions sizes, a good diet and reduced calories along with adequate exercise are good prescriptives to lose weight.
The prescription for public policy change needs to consider current knowledge, needs for increased levels of education, motivation, a shift in food stamp benefits to reward good choices/changes in food stamp policy and nutrition education along with programs for physical fitness specifically geared to our target population. In 2002 the number of bariatric surgeries jumper 40% and showed further gain in 2003.Medicaid currently does not cover bariatric services, another public policy issue given our low income, uneducated, target population most likely to be on Medicaid if they have insurance at all.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
tania responds:
Posted: March 12th, 2008 at 8:02 am →
thank you so much for this website. it helped me so much on my obesity research project.
Kathy J. Shattler, M.S.,RD responds:
Posted: March 12th, 2008 at 2:04 pm →
Tania,
When I did my Master’s degree, I partially majored in Obesity (the other part was adult education). It is an interesting area for me and I look forward to putting more articles on obesity on the website in the future. Thank you for your comment.