Obesity Rates in US Stabilized, but Not for Minorities and Children

New research show that there are mixed news on the obesity front in the U.S. Positive news are that the obesity rates for adults have stabilized. However, the rates are still rising for children and minorities. This is presented in a new study published in the journal Medical Decision Making, published by SAGE.

The researchers have explored statistics for many categories of Americans based on age, race and gender, with the aim of discover which overweight groups were most likely to have an alteration in the rates of weight. The projections made, reveal that obesity rates will remain stable for the next 10 years. However, this is not correct for all groups. For instance; the numbers are predicted to rise for black young adults and children, and white children (mainly boys) during the coming years.

Anirban Basu, PhD, University of Chicago School of Medicine, and one of the head researchers, says “The unprecedented rise in obesity among U.S. adults over the past two decades apperas to have stabilized and will continue to remain stable over the next 10 years. Levels of obesity, however, remain very high and we’re particularly concerned with the increase in rates of overweight among 6-9 year-old children – especially boys. As they age they could contribute again to the rise of adult obesity, so addressing these risks in early childhood is of utmost importance.”

Do you agree with these predictions? Comment below or on our Facebook page.

Tags: Anirban, Basu, Chicago, children, Decision, Making, medical, medicine, minorities, Novasans, obesity, rates, SAGE, School, U.S., University