Much is known about adult obesity at the national level in the U.S., but now a recent ,study presented in The New England Journal of Medicine ( 12/19/19) pages 2440-2450, has examined the issue of obesity in adults 18 and older at the state level, and projects the expected trends out to the year 2030.
The study also added to our knowledge of demographics on gender, race, and income.
The study is entitled “Projected U.S. State-Level Prevalence of Adult Obesity and Severe Obesity”, Zachary J. Ward, MPH, et al.
It used BMI (body mass index), the standard measurement of weight in the general population. It is calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. BMI is an imperfect representation of body weight, especially in muscular and large boned individuals, but overall is usually quite a useful representative of body weight for most people.
BMI can be found on-line in either tabular or calculator formats.
The current distribution of BMI by % of the adult population in 2019 showed that::
-normal, ideal, underweight <25 (25%)
-overweight 25 to <30 (35%)
-“overall obesity” (40% )represented as:
BMI 30 to <39.9 (35%) and
BMI >40 (6%)
The authors of the current study of 6.4 million adults, conducted in the U.S. between 1993-1994 and 1999-2016 presented their BMI results in a different form:
-< 25 normal or underweight
-25 to <30 overweight
-“overall obesity”>35 represented as:
-30 to >35 moderately obese
->35 severe obese
Using current trends of national and statewide data, the overall findings of the study estimated that by the year 2030:
Nationally “Overall obesity”(BMI >30):
Approximately (50%) one half of the adult US population were projected to be in the “overall obese” category.
By state “ Overall obesity”(BMI>30):
29 states will see “overall obesity” in more than the national average of 50% of their residents:
1. Alabama
2. Arizona in
3. Arkansa s
4. Delaware
5. Georgia
6. Illinois
7. Indiana
8. Iowa
9. Kansas
10. Kentucky
11. Louisiana
12. Maine
13. Maryland
14. Michigan
15. Mississippi
16. Missouri
17. Nebraska
18. New Mexico
19. North Carolina
20. North Dakota
21. Ohio
22. Oklahoma
23. Pennsylvania
24. South Carolina
25. South Dakota
26. Tennessee
27. Texas
28. West Virginia
29. Wisconsin
Nationally “Severe obesity”(BMI >35)
Approximately (25%) one quarter of the adult US population were projected to be in the “severe obesity“ category.
Nationally “Severe obesity”(BMI >35) is projected to become the most common BMI category in:
-Females 28%
-Non-Hispanic black adults 32%
-Low income adults 32%
By state “Severe obesity”( BMI >35);
25 states will see ”severe obesity” in more than the national average of 25% of their residents:
1. Alabama
2. Arkansas
3. Delaware
4. Georgia
5. Illinois
6. Indiana
7. Iowa
8. Kansas
9. Kentucky
10. Louisiana
11. Michigan
12. Mississippi
13. Missouri
14. Nebraska
15. North Carolina
16. North Dakota
17. Ohio
18. Oklahoma
19. South Carolina
20. South Dakota
21. Tennessee
22. Texas
23. Virginia
24. West Virginia
25. Wisconsin
Currently nothing much has succeeded in controlling the problem of obesity in adults or children in our country.
Perhaps an appropriate appreciation of the “epidemic” of obesity may motivate parents to help their children avoid this projected unhealthy trend.
Weight control essentially is in the hands of the individual, and unfortunately too few of us have a working understanding of the basics of nutrition, including how to “read a food label”. Here knowledge and some will power can go a long way to help avoid “the gain”, and promote one’s own health. Remember, “you are as good as your last meal”. Splurging on one meal is ok so long as the next one is better.
Truth is we need people to help themselves and their children avoid being overweight and obese.
We can not do it without them
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