New population data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a concerning increase in adult obesity prevalence, with 22 states now reporting rates at or above 35%. By comparison, 19 states were in that position in 2021. The upward trend is concerning because just a decade ago, no state had obesity prevalence rates above 35%. In the data presentation, the District of Columbia was the only place in the nation with an obesity prevalence under 25%. CDC recommends prevention programs and evidence-based healthcare services to counteract the trend. Additionally, the data highlights disparities in obesity rates among different racial and ethnic groups with Black and Hispanic adults experiencing higher prevalence compared to White and Asian adults across geographic regions.
Red gets your attention: Pretty much the entire map laid out by CDC is colored in red or orange, indicating a high prevalence of obesity. At the community level, however, Wegovy (semaglutide), the new glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist weight loss drug with noteworthy efficacy, is now in short supply, making prescribing decisions especially difficult for physicians, according to STAT. For tips on determining your appetite for starting weight loss services, read This May Not Be The Wisest Time To Diversify Your Services To Include Weight Loss from the JUCM archive.