The State of Obesity in the U.S. Today

By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD 

The rate of obesity in the United States has been steadily rising. While this is an established fact, the reasons behind the rise are less clear, since there is not just one cause of obesity. 

Obesity is influenced by many factors, including a person’s environment, diet, physical activity patterns, and genetics. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to growing obesity rates. 

Here’s an overview of the state of obesity, what’s contributing to it, and the current discourse on solutions. 

Obesity Today 

Current estimates suggest that over 40% of the adult population in this country experience obesity, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. For children and adolescents, the prevalence of obesity is close to 20%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity in adults in the US increased by more than 11% over the past couple of decades. 

Obesity affects some groups disproportionately. Black and Hispanic adults have a higher age-adjusted prevalence of obesity than non-Hispanic white and Asian adults. Furthermore, having a college degree correlates with a lower obesity prevalence than completing less education. 

Over 20% of adults in every state have obesity, but some states have a much higher prevalence of it. For example, 16 states, mostly concentrated in the South and Midwest, have 35% or more adults with obesity. Higher obesity rates in certain locations may stem from their racial, socioeconomic, and educational make-ups as well as environmental factors and food preferences.  

The numbers related to obesity prevalence are jarring on their own, but highlighting obesity-related effects better illuminates the massive impact that the rise in obesity has on the US population. Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Not only are these conditions some of the leading causes of death, they negatively affect quality of life and contribute to billions of dollars in medical costs.  

Why is obesity rising? 

The steady increase in obesity prevalence has led to many theories about what’s causing the rise. The most prominent explanation is that unhealthy eating patterns and insufficient physical activity — habits that have continued despite years of diet and exercise recommendations from health officials — are the root causes of obesity. Experts also point to stress, inadequate sleep, and genetics as contributing factors. 

However, these theories cannot be discussed without acknowledging social determinants of health that play a large role in weight management. Racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status, physical ability, and geographic location all impact whether or not someone can eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. Plus, a person’s environment, including where they live, go to school, work, and purchase groceries, influences diet and physical activity patterns. 

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to rising obesity. Initial public health recommendations that encouraged people to stay at home, increased stress, school closures, more screen time, and cooking trends all played a role. Parents juggled watching kids and working, resulting in less time for exercise and healthy cooking. At the same time, children who usually received meals and participated in physical activity at school no longer had that opportunity. 

Lastly, chemicals in the environment may influence the development of obesity. These chemicals may be found in cookware, hair products, makeup and lotions, cleaning agents, food packaging, pesticides, and air pollution. Often referred to as obesogens, they are thought to disrupt hormones in ways that promote fat storage, weight gain, or increased food consumption. However, research on obesogens is still limited, making it difficult to know which chemicals promote obesity and which ones do not. 

Current Solutions 

Obesity was declared an epidemic in the US in 1999, leading to a flurry of recommendations to prevent and manage excess weight gain. However, the prevalence of obesity has clearly been rising since that time. The multifactorial contributors to obesity make it very challenging to decipher and implement effective solutions. 

Still, health officials and weight management experts provide recommendations for fighting the obesity epidemic based on their growing body of knowledge. At the core of these recommendations is an emphasis on making healthy food choices and increasing physical activity. Reducing stress and getting enough sleep is also promoted. Some experts suggest weight management medications and surgery.  

In addition, public health officials continue to work on addressing population-level factors that make it difficult to eat well and exercise. Examples of their work include campaigns and policies to promote access to healthy foods, make food more affordable, and implement safe places for play and exercise in communities without these advantages. Many campaigns are aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for children and adolescents in an effort to reduce the risk of obesity later in life. 

Recommendations for weight loss often acknowledge the benefits of losing just 5 to 10% of body weight. For most people, it can be very difficult to lose significant amounts of weight. Fortunately, research suggests it’s not necessary to drop as much weight as you might expect to start reaping health benefits. Including this information in recommendations helps make losing weight seem less daunting and within reach. Check out our blog post on the benefits of losing 5% of body weight for more information. 

As research on other causes of obesity grows, more information will lead to updated suggestions that include new areas of improvement. For instance, reducing exposure to obesogens may become a goal of weight loss campaigns that target individuals, regulatory agencies, or companies that make products with weight-promoting chemicals. There are likely other factors the contribute to obesity that are not yet realized. 

Looking at the obesity epidemic from a top-down perspective can feel overwhelming, especially as the prevalence of obesity continues to rise. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the situation, it can be helpful to channel your energy into what you can do to manage your own health. Following a weight loss meal plan, working on healthy meal prep, and increasing physical activity are still effective tools that promote overall health and may help with weight loss. There is a lot you can do to get and stay healthy. 

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