Why Has the “Miracle Weight Loss Drug” Failed to Reverse the Rising Obesity Trend in US?

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Reddit
• Tumblr
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• RSS Feed
• Link

Why Has the “Miracle Weight Loss Drug” Failed to Reverse the Rising Obesity Trend in US?

• Shocking! All existing AIDS vaccine developments have failed 
• Sanofi Japan Data Breach: 730000 Healthcare Professionals’ Information Exposed
• CT Radiation Exposure Linked to Blood Cancer in Children and Adolescents
• FDA has mandated a top-level black box warning for all marketed CAR-T therapies
• Can people with high blood pressure eat peanuts?
• What is the difference between dopamine and dobutamine?
• How long can the patient live after heart stent surgery?

Why Has the “Miracle Weight Loss Drug” Failed to Reverse the Rising Obesity Trend in US?

U.S. Obesity Rates Remain High: Why Has the “Weight Loss Miracle Drug” Failed to Reverse the Trend?

According to a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity rates in the U.S. remain consistently high, with a worrying increase in severe obesity, especially among women, over the past decade.

Based on a survey of around 6,000 people conducted between 2021 and 2023, about 40% of Americans are classified as obese, which translates to over 100 million individuals.

The CDC found that nearly one in ten respondents is severely obese, with the prevalence of severe obesity in women being nearly double that of men.

While the overall obesity rate appears to have slightly declined compared to the previous survey period (2017-2020), this change is not statistically significant. In other words, the decrease could be due to random fluctuations rather than a true downward trend in obesity.

Dr. Samuel Emery, a public health official with the CDC and lead author of the study, noted that despite the introduction of high-profile weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, it is still unclear whether these treatments will significantly impact the spread of chronic diseases associated with obesity.

“We can’t yet compare prescription drug use with changes in obesity rates in detail,” Dr. Emery said. However, he hopes that future data will allow for more comprehensive analysis of this relationship.

Since Wegovy’s launch in June 2021, the drug has seen widespread popularity across the U.S., leading to expectations of changes in obesity trends. A May survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit organization, found that about one in eight U.S. adults has used GLP-1 class medications for weight loss or related health conditions.

CDC data shows that while the overall obesity rate has not changed significantly over the past decade, the rate of severe obesity has risen from nearly 8% in 2013-2014 to 10% today.

Obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI), a calculation based on height and weight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese, while a BMI of 40 or higher qualifies as severe obesity.

Solveig Cunningham, a professor at Emory University who specializes in obesity research, expressed concern over the rise in severe obesity, noting that it is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and reduced quality of life.

The Struggles of Weight Loss

Cunningham added that the reasons behind the increase in severe obesity and the higher rates among women are not fully understood. Potential factors could include hormonal changes, the effects of childbirth, or other issues that require further research.

The study also highlighted disparities in obesity rates based on education level. Around 32% of individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher are classified as obese, while the rate rises to 45% among those with a high school diploma or less education.

Earlier this month, before the release of this report, U.S. state and regional data showed that, by 2023, every state had an obesity rate above 20%. In 23 states, more than one-third of adults are obese. Prior to 2013, no state had an obesity rate this high.

Cunningham emphasized the importance of starting obesity prevention in early childhood, adding that even if someone becomes obese, the focus should shift to preventing further weight gain. “Reversing the obesity trend is incredibly difficult at both individual and population levels, so it’s not surprising that we haven’t seen a significant decline in obesity rates,” she concluded.

Why Has the “Miracle Weight Loss Drug” Failed to Reverse the Rising Obesity Trend in US?

______________________________

(source:internet, reference only)

Disclaimer of medicaltrend.org

Important Note: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice.