Summary
A new Lancet study reveals nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, a sharp rise from just over half in 1990.
Obesity among adults doubled to over 40%, while rates among girls and women aged 15–24 nearly tripled to 29%.
The study highlights significant health risks, including diabetes, heart disease, and shortened life expectancy, alongside projected medical costs of up to $9.1 trillion over the next decade.
Experts stress obesity’s complex causes—genetic, environmental, and social—and call for structural reforms like food subsidies, taxes on sugary drinks, and expanded treatment access.
I mean, yes, but also I have issues with BMI.
But also yes, look at old films or photos of crowds. North Americans are a heavy people.
There are some issues with BMI, at least for individuals, but it’s pretty OK for populations.
By BMI alone it could be possible that they US now has 3/4 really successful body builders, but I imagine we’d have noticed
It’s also probably less bad for individuals than people make it out to be. People have a warped sense of what is a healthy weight nowadays and shooting the messenger is easier than looking into the message.