The prevalence of severe obesity among Americans, particularly among women, has risen over the past decade, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to a 2021-2023 survey involving 6,000 individuals, about 40% of U.S. adults are obese. Of those surveyed, nearly 10% had severe obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. The rate of severe obesity increased from approximately 8% in the 2013-2014 survey to nearly 10% in the most recent data. Women were almost twice as likely as men to experience severe obesity. While there was a slight downward trend in overall obesity compared to the 2017-2020 survey, the difference wasn’t statistically significant. The reasons behind the rise in severe obesity, especially among women, remain unclear, according to CDC.
Too soon to tell: According to a Gallup poll, 15.5 million people report having used injectable medications like semaglutide and liraglutide for weight loss. Relatively new, these drugs may ultimately influence a downward obesity trend in future CDC surveys.