Obesity Dipped in U.S. Adults Last Year for The First Time in More Than a Decade
For the first time in over a decade, U.S. adult obesity rates have slightly declined, dropping from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023, according to a study in JAMA Health Forum. Researchers attribute this trend in part to the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, with the South showing the largest decrease, especially among women and adults aged 66-75.
However, disparities persist, with increases noted among Asian Americans. The study also highlights the potential influence of Covid-19, which disproportionately affected individuals with obesity. While promising, experts caution that more research is needed to confirm whether this signals a true turning point in the obesity epidemic. Read more from NBC here.