Grownup weight problems dropped for the primary time in 10 years, examine stories
For the primary time in a decade, grownup weight problems in the US dropped final yr, a brand new examine has discovered, and researchers are curious how the rise in recognition of weight reduction medication like Ozempic could have performed a task.
Printed in JAMA Well being Discussion board on Friday, the examine, “Modifications in Grownup Weight problems Traits within the US,” discovered that between 2022 and 2023, weight problems in American adults between ages 26-75 dropped about 0.15%.
“On the share degree, the lower seems fairly small … however once you truly take a look at the inhabitants, what that interprets to is tons of of 1000’s of people that had been in an overweight class and are not in that class,” examine writer Benjamin Rader, scientific director at Boston Youngsters’s Hospital, advised USA TODAY. “The inhabitants affect, we expect, is kind of large.”
Earlier than 2023, between 2013-2022, weight problems numbers had been on an uphill climb. However they plateaued in 2022 earlier than taking a slight flip south.
John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Youngsters’s Hospital, who additionally contributed to the examine, stated the best lower was amongst Black girls ages 66-75. This tracks with nationwide traits, he added.
The Consumption Useful resource Heart present in a survey of 1,000 People final yr that 39% of ladies requested their medical practitioners to be prescribed Ozempic, in comparison with 23% of males. And one other examine revealed by market researcher CivicScience final yr discovered that Black People are most certainly − at 26% − to take Ozempic or one other weight reduction drug.
The examine additionally discovered that the biggest lower of weight problems occurred within the South. This corresponds with CivicScience’s examine, too. The highest 5 states with essentially the most on-line searches for Ozempic had been Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida and Mississippi, CivicScience revealed.
How was the examine performed?
Researchers surveyed almost 17 million American adults ages 26-75, with about 51% being feminine and 48% male, based on the examine. Rader stated the analysis staff partnered with Optum, a scientific knowledge aggregator, to gather physique mass index (BMI) data from digital medical data, reminiscent of medical doctors’ notes and lab stories, and insurance coverage declare knowledge. The researchers analyzed BMI knowledge collected between 2013 and 2023.
What different components may have contributed to the weight problems decline?
Brownstein stated there is no method of figuring out, proper now, the precise trigger for the dip in weight problems, however weight reduction medication like Ozempic are seemingly a number one issue. Different contributing components could embody higher entry to healthcare and new meals and drug tips, he added.
Weight problems stays a prevalent illness
Regardless of outcomes from the current examine, weight problems stay prevalent within the U.S.
In accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, in 2023, multiple in three adults had weight problems. For perspective, earlier than 2013, no state had an grownup weight problems prevalence at or above 35%. In the present day, at the very least 20% of adults in every state dwell with weight problems.
What’s Ozempic?
Ozempic, the family title for semaglutide, is a prescription medication used to deal with sort 2 diabetes and weight problems in adults. It may be taken by injection or orally.
Greta Cross is a nationwide trending reporter at USA TODAY. Comply with her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story concept? Electronic mail her at gcross@gannett.com.
