Study Finds Obesity Growth Slows in Rich Countries as U.S. Adult Rates Reach 40-43%
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 13
Study Finds Obesity Growth Slows in Rich Countries as U.S. Adult Rates Reach 40-43%
9 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 13
4,050 studies covering 232 million people found obesity rose in almost all countries from 1980 to 2024, but many high-income nations have shifted from rapid increases to slower growth, a plateau or possible decline.
2024 adult obesity reached 40-43% in the U.S. and 27-30% in the UK, while Germany plateaued, France may have begun declining, and Finland continued a steady rise.
Children often showed the slowdown earlier: Denmark saw it start around 1990, and by the mid-2000s rates had stabilized in most high-income countries; youth obesity has plateaued in the UK, U.S., Germany and Japan.
Many low- and middle-income countries are still seeing obesity rise, sometimes faster, raising concern over future diabetes and cardiovascular disease burdens.
Researchers said diverging national trends point to country-specific drivers—from food environments and physical activity to school meals, social norms and policy—and could guide more effective public-health responses.
As Western obesity rates plateau, why are they accelerating in developing nations and what can be done?
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GLP-1 Drugs and the U.S. Obesity Epidemic: Progress, Disparities, and the Road Ahead
Overview
Obesity is a critical public health concern that leads to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. With type 2 diabetes affecting 8.4% of Americans and ranking as the eighth leading cause of death, addressing obesity is vital for overall well-being. The landscape of obesity treatment is changing due to the emergence and widespread adoption of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are transforming how obesity is managed. Tackling obesity requires comprehensive strategies, including access to healthy foods, opportunities for physical activity, and FDA-approved medical interventions to improve health outcomes.