Obesity remains high in the US, but more states are showing progress, a new report finds
The number of states with adult obesity rates over 35% dropped from 23 to 19 in 2024, reflecting progress amid ongoing concerns about federal program cuts, experts said.
- The number of U.S. states with obesity rates of 35% or higher dropped from 23 to 19 in 2024, marking a significant change, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
- Obesity affects about 40% of the U.S. population, and 19 states reported rates over 35%, ranging from a low of 25% in Colorado to over 40% in West Virginia, based on the CDC's latest analysis.
- Dr. J. Nadine Gracia stated that while the decline in obesity rates is positive, 'it's too soon to call it a trend,' highlighting risks from funding cuts.
- A U.S. Health and Human Services spokesman expressed encouragement about progress in fighting obesity, stating, 'We are restructuring public health programs to eliminate waste.
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197 Articles
America’s obesity problem just saw a plot twist
For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with rates of obesity 35% or more has dropped, an encouraging sign that America's epidemic of excess weight might be improving. But cuts to federal staff and programs that address chronic disease could endanger that progress, according to a new report released Thursday.Nineteen states had obesity rates of 35% or higher in 2024, down from 23 states the year before, according to an ana…

Obesity remains high but states show progress
For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with rates of obesity of 35% or more dropped, an encouraging sign that America’s epidemic of excess weight might be improving. But cuts to federal staff and…
For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with obesity rates of 35% or higher has decreased, an encouraging sign that the US obesity epidemic may be improving. However, the…
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