The United States has seen a significant decline in obesity rates and body mass index (BMI) across American adults between 2013 and 2023, according to a recent study published in the JAMA Health Forum. The findings indicate that BMI decreased from 29.65 in 2013 to 30.21 in 2023, with a slight decrease also observed in 2023.
The decline was particularly pronounced in southern states, where obesity prevalence declined by an estimated 1.4 percentage points between 2019 and 2023. The study also found that individuals aged 66-75 years and females experienced significant reductions in obesity rates.
However, the increase in high glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) dispensing rates, particularly in the South, raises concerns about the potential impact of these medications on the long-term trend. While GLP-1RAs have been shown to be effective in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, their use has become widespread due to increasing availability and lower costs.
The study’s findings are closely aligned with data from the World Health Organization (WHO), lending credibility to its results. However, the researchers acknowledge that the study’s limitations, including potential selection bias, limit the generalizability of its conclusions.
Despite these limitations, the observed decrease in obesity rates represents a promising shift and could mark a reversal of the long-standing upward trend. Further research is needed to explore more accurate body composition metrics and investigate factors driving this change.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241216/Obesity-prevalence-and-BMI-decrease-in-the-US-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade.aspx