A new study published by science researchers reveals sensitive, rare data describing the prevalence of obesity in the United States more than 13,800 – a rare data point found in the obesity study. They found that more than half of American adults in the study gained 5% or more over a period of 10 years. In addition, more than a third of American adults gained 10% or more of body weight and about one-fifth gained 20% or more of body weight. BYU professor of exercise science. “Without a doubt, weight gain for 10 years is a major problem among US adults.”
The study participants were randomly selected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination, an annual survey that examined a representative sample of the country. NHANES is a series of CDC-sponsored studies that began in the early 1960s and became an ongoing program in 1999. Using NHANES data, the study also found that the 10-year weight gain was significantly higher for women than men, and for women who benefited approximately twice as much weight: 12 pounds on average for women compared to 6 pounds for men. Weight gain also varied across races, black women gaining a moderate weight over a 10-year period (19.4 pounds) and Asian men gaining at least (2.9 pounds).
In terms of age, significant weight gain was found in younger and middle-aged adults; less weight gain as we age. According to the data, on average Americans gain the following weight:
• 17.6 pounds between their 20s and 30s
• 14.3 pounds between them 30s and 40s
• 9.5 pounds between them 40s and 50s
• 4.6 pounds between their 50s and 60s
If adults gain a moderate amount of weight during each decade of adult life, they will have gained over 50 pounds [45 kg], which would put many of them at risk for obesity. According to the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC, 42.4% of U.S. adults that is a significant increase from 30.5% measured in 2000.
“In about 20 years, the rate of obesity has increased by almost 40% and obesity has almost doubled,” Tucker said. “By knowing, who is likely to be overweight, we can help health care providers and community health officials focus more on vulnerable people.”
Source Journal Reference: Larry A. Tucker, Kayla Parker. 10-Year Weight Gain in 13,802 US Adults: The Role of Age, Sex, and Race. Journal of Obesity, 2022; 2022: 1 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7652408
