Escalating health concerns demand urgent action to combat rising obesity rates. Study: National-level and state-level prevalence of overweight and obesity among children, adolescents, and adults in the USA, 1990–2021, and forecasts up to 2050 . Image Credit: Cynthia A Jackson/Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in The Lancet , a group of researchers estimated and forecast overweight and obesity trends in the United States of America (USA) (1990-2050) across all ages, guiding health policy and interventions. Background The USA faces a severe obesity epidemic, with rising trends causing significant health, economic, and environmental burdens. Obesity contributes to 335,000 deaths and 11.
6 million disability-adjusted life-years annually, with direct healthcare costs exceeding $260 billion. Childhood obesity is particularly alarming, affecting nearly 20% of youth and driving early-onset diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Geographical, socioeconomic, and racial disparities exacerbate the issue, influenced by factors like food deserts, lack of recreational spaces, and genetic predispositions.
Monitoring and forecasting obesity trends are critical for effective prevention and tailored interventions. Further research is needed to address disparities and improve policy responses. About the study The present study estimated the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children, adolescents, and adults in the USA from 1990 to 2021, with projections to 205.