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A new study coming from the Washington University found that two in three adult U.S. citizens fall in either the overweight or obese category.
Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine looked at the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey or NHANES to come to their findings. The survey was conducted between 2007 and 2012 on a sample population of 15.208 American citizens, comprising both male and female participants.
The overall results showed that in the male and female population of the U.S., aged 25 as well as above, 75 percent, respectively 67 percent of people are either overweight or obese. The results are a cause of concern considering the health risk a BMI indicating overweight or obesity poses.
40 percent of the male U.S. population is overweight, with a 35 percent deemed obese. These percentages represent 36.3 million U.S. citizens, respectively 31.8 million.
With women, 30 percent are overweight, and another 37 percent are obese. Again, these percentages represent 28.9 million women, respectively 35.8 million.
In light of these findings, researchers stated:
“Population-based strategies helping to reduce modifiable risk factors such as physical environment interventions, enhancing primary care efforts to prevent and treat obesity and altering societal norms of behaviour are required”.
The most problematic population segment are women who are solely more prone to being obese than men. Two thirds of women presented BMIs above the average.
For the male segment of the population, the statistic showed that only three quarters presented BMIs above the average.
When ethnic and racial factors were taken into account, it resulted that African Americans are first in the top.
Both African American men and African American women are more prone to obesity. Thus, 39 percent of male African Americans are obese, and 7 percent of the overall male population has a BMI above 40.
57 percent of African American women are obese, and 17 percent of the overall female population presents a BMI above 40, mirroring the general trend.
Mexican Americans also showed that 38 percent of men, respectively 43 percent of the female population are obese.
For Asian Americans there was no available data.
The research comes as one update on the general health condition of the American population.
While there are numerous studies detailing the increased risks that overweight or obesity represent to health, the trend seems to jump upwards from year to year.
Image Source: ibtimes.com
