Analysis: U.S. obesity rising, but interventions could improve rates

Although the U.S.’s obesity rate continues to climb, a new analysis suggests that prevention strategies exist that could counter the trend if they were pursued as a public health priority (Source: “Obesity Trends Still On The Rise, But Intervention Is Possible, Study Finds,” Kaiser Health News, June 22, 2015). 

A research letter published Monday by JAMA Internal Medicine reported updated results from an earlier study highlighting the burden of chronic conditions associated with body mass index.

The new analysis found that nearly 40 percent of men and 30 percent of women were overweight, while nearly 35 percent of men and 37 percent of women were considered obese.

“Overweight and obesity is something one can deal with as an individual, but we also need strategies for prevention at the collective level,” said Dr. Lin Yang, a lead researcher of the study.

According to the analysis, those strategies include enhancing primary care efforts to prevent and treat obesity, changing behavior in schools and the workplace and changing physical environments to make healthy food and exercise options more accessible.