The problem of obesity in America becomes even more serious

The obesity epidemic in America is getting worse in some states, according to a new report released this week. In 2017, no state recorded an overall decline in its obesity rate, while six states recorded an increase. But there seems to have been minor wins in reducing obesity among children in some groups.

The so-called 2018 Report on the State of Obesity is a collaboration between Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, two nonprofit organizations focused on public health policy. The report, published annually for 15 years, collects and analyzes federal data on trends in obesity and their impact on the country's health and economy.

The report found that, from 2015 to 2016, 39.6% of adults nationwide met the criteria for obesity (which means that they had a body mass index of 30 or plus), the highest percentage reported to date. And according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the obesity rate has remained stable or increased in all states by 2017.

Six states in particular – Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and South Carolina – have seen their adult obesity rates increase by 2016 to 2017. Seven states: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and West Virginia adult obesity rates greater than 35%, while 22 states had a rate ranging between 30 and 35%. West Virginia had the highest rate of obesity in adults at 38.1%.

In 2012, by comparison, no state had an adult obesity rate higher than 35%.

Only two states, Hawaii and Colorado, had an adult obesity rate of less than 25% of adults.

At the same time, other research has shown that, worldwide, one-third of people are overweight or obese.

"Obesity is a complex and often intractable problem and the obesity epidemic in the United States continues to have serious health and cost implications for individuals, their families and our nation," said John Auerbach , President of Trust for America's Health.

In addition to the known health risks associated with obesity, including type 2 diabetes and some cancers, the report estimates that obesity costs $ 149 billion annually in direct health care costs and $ 66 billion in lost productivity.

However, not all the news is bad. The report cites research showing that obesity rates have declined in recent years among children ages two to four enrolled in the Special Supplementary Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). From 2010 to 2014, the rate went from 15.9% to 14.5% at the national level. Some, but not all, research has also found a decrease in obesity among children in this age group.

"The good news is that there is growing evidence that some prevention programs can reverse these trends," said Auerbach. "But we will not see a significant decline in national and national obesity rates until they are implemented across the country and receive sustainable support."

Among the 40 policy recommendations highlighted by the report include strengthening food standards in schools (and abandoning the USDA's proposed standards last year), better funding and expanding community health programs aimed at prevent food and beverage companies from continuing to market unhealthy foods to children.