Obesity Has Become More Prevalent In American Women, New Study Reveals

The prevalence of obesity in American women has increased, according to a new study. It reached 40.4 percent for 2013-2014 while it was 35 percent among American men. The researchers said that the prevalence of overall obesity and of class 3 obesity in women showed significant linear trends for the increase between 2005 and 2014 while there was none for the men.

The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey, which has nationally representative data. Prevalence of obesity meant a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to 30 and class 3 obesity meant a BMI of greater than or equal to 40. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Figures Increased From A Decade Ago

Reuters reported that the study also revealed that ten years before, there was about 38 percent of American women who were obese. The prevalence of obesity for men ten years ago was 34 percent.

"It's a really alarming figure, and it's alarming that it's continuing to go up despite government calls to action on weight loss and healthy eating," Washington Post quoted dietitian Dana Hunnes as saying about the prevalence of obesity in women. Hunnes is said to see obese patients at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Obesity An "Unrelenting Challenge"

A separate JAMA study found that in 2011-2014, the prevalence of obesity among American children aged 2 to 19 was 17 percent. Meanwhile, extreme obesity was found to be at 5.8 percent.

In an editorial, JAMA said that the researches and other recent reports show "the unrelenting challenge of obesity." The editorial said that there needs to be an emphasis on prevention with regards to obesity. It was noted that preventing obesity should begin with women of child-bearing age.

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