U.S. obesity epidemic at standstill, CDC says

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(CBS/AP) America's obesity problem is proving just as hard to get rid of as a set of love handles.

PICTURES - Fat tax? 15 states with biggest obesity bills

More than one-third of adults and almost 17 percent of children were obese in 2009-2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday. Those numbers are no different than they were in 2003.

"It's good that we didn't see increases," said CDC researcher Cynthia Ogden. "On the other hand, we didn't see any decreases in any group."

Early in the decade, slight increases in obesity rates were seen among white, black and Hispanic men, and among Hispanic and black women. These changes may be leveling off, but the authors said they "found no indication that the prevalence of obesity is declining in any group."

The CDC found that more than 78 million adults and almost 13 million children ages 2 to 19 are obese.

"We're plateauing at an unacceptably high prevalence rate," said Dr. David Ludwig, director of an obesity prevention center at Children's Hospital Boston.

The CDC reports - both of which are published online in the Jan 17. issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association -  summarize results of national health surveys in children and adults, which are conducted every two years. These surveys include in-person weight and height measurements. The 2009-2010 reports involved nearly 6,000 adults and about 4,000 children, from infancy through age 19.

Dr. Elbert Huang, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago who studies health care policy issues, said his research shows that even if obesity rates continue to remain stable, there will be dramatic increases down the road in diabetes and in costs linked with that disease. That's because type 2 diabetes, among many diseases linked with obesity, becomes more prevalent as people age.

As far as being overweight but not obese - that is, having a body-mass index between 25 and 29, versus the obese BMI of at least 30 - the report showed rates were also high. Overall, 33 percent of adults were overweight but not obese, versus about 15 percent of children and teens. The government says a healthy weight is a BMI of between 18 and 25.

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Fat tax? 15 states with biggest obesity bills

[vielmann]

The only problem I have with the BMI is that just recently it was also reported that a BMI of under 25 increased the chances of death during surgery. If that's supposed to be healthy, why suddenly is one prone to death for being at the right BMI??? I agree that Americans are terribly obese. It's bad and we're getting painted as a fat nation. But I think the BMI may distort things a tad bit.

[health_conscious]

This is very unfortunate news, the country was making some inroads but now that seems to be coming to a halt. Obesity is rapidly becoming the norm in our society because people look at their neighbors and see themselves i.e. overweight and sedentary.

The problem needs to be caught early. Billboards that focus on obesity could bring the problems of juvenile obesity to the forefront. I read some interesting thoughts on this subject at this website:

http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2011/05/obese-young-people-on-anti-obesity-billboards-raising-awareness-or-promoting-stigmatization.html

Most people have no idea how dangerous obesity really is. If the country doesn't reverse this trend, the overall health of our nation will continue to decline.

[guest173]

restaurants and the Food channels need to learn more vegeterian recipes and stop selling so much white breads/rice. I wish all buns were automatically the real whole grain (not the fake grain). and remember that fat clogs arteries and is a carcinogen. I remind my kids that too when I see them avoiding salads and bananas/etc. Fruits and veggies also prevent cancer, mcdonalds does sell salads if you still have to eat there for the kids sake.

[Nate650]

Natural fats do not clog arteries and are definitely not carcinogenic. Where did you get that from? Fats such as those found in extra virgin olive oil and butter from grass-fed cows are actually quite healthy assuming one does not completely gorge on them. The only unhealthy fat is artificial trans fat.

The entire "low fat" diet fad was actually started based on very flawed evidence. Just read about Ancel Keys.

[vielmann]

I agree, Nate, that the worst fat for anyone is trans fat. However, even the good fat can be bad for anyone if consumed in excess. The idea of eating as much as you want of fat, while keeping carbs low to obtain weight loss and health, is a lie.

[Nate650]

Unfortunately the obesity epidemic won't improve until the food system is overhauled. The health crisis was caused primarily by widespread consumption of industrial/processed foods which contain unhealthy ingredients like artificial trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, refined flour, preservatives, etc.

[Nate650]

AttentionDeficit, the key is cooking at home with real, whole ingredients. Simply cooking at home isn't enough because processed products like Hamburger Helper may be used.

[Nate650]

AttentionDeficit, yep, that's the rule I use. :) I have heard Michael Pollan say those words.