After rising steadily for a quarter century, the rate of obesity in the United States appears to be leveling off, although it remains alarmingly high, a US government report concluded Thursday.
After rising steadily for a quarter century, the rate of obesity in the United States appears to be leveling off, although it remains alarmingly high, a US government report concluded Thursday.
The study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the prevalence of obesity has not changed since its study in 2003-04, and has plateaued at around 34 percent.But the CDC report released Thursday entitled "Obesity Among Adults in the US: No Significant Change in 2005-06," found that more than a third of US adults -- some 72 million Americans -- are sufficiently overweight to be classified as obese.
The CDC has said that obesity is one of its top public health priorities, and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes and other ailments.
Janet Collins, director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, said the US government has undertaken an all-out effort to combat obesity, including in "the nation's schools, community organizations, businesses, medical systems and faith communities, to promote and support healthy eating, physical activity and healthy weight."
Source-AFP
LIN/P
