About 40% of U.S. adults were obese in 2015-2016, up from 34% in 2007-2008, according to a study reported online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. About 8% of adults were severely obese, up from 6% in 2007-2008. Obesity increased among women and in adults aged 40 and older, while severe obesity increased in both men and women and adults under 60. Almost 19% of youth were obese in 2015-2016, about the same as in 2007-2008. Among adults aged 20 and older, obesity was defined as a body mass index of 30 or more, and severe obesity a BMI of 40 or more. The findings are based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Related News Articles

Headline
The AHA July 16 announced five winners of the 2025 AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award for their hospital-led collaborative efforts to improve community…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services June 27 announced the rollout of a 6-year technology-enabled prior authorization program pilot. Through…
Headline
AHA podcast: Food as Medicine — How Cleveland Clinic Is Nourishing Community HealthVickie Johnson, executive vice president and chief community officer at…
Headline
As part of Community Health Improvement Week June 9-13, two experts from Corewell Health share how an impactful health care ecosystem model is supporting local…
Headline
With June 9-13 being Community Health Improvement Week, three experts from HonorHealth discuss how the health care network is addressing community needs beyond…
Blog
Even before the COVID pandemic, the mental health and wellness of our young people was failing. The pandemic exacerbated the crisis and made it difficult for…