In a notable change from long-standing trends, adult obesity rates in the United States will decline in 2023 for the first time in more than a decade, a new study finds. The study analyzed more than 47 million BMI measurements from more than 16 million adults and suggested that this change may be related to increased use of weight loss drugs and pandemic-related behavioral changes. There is.
Published in JAMA Health Forum |Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School examined national trends in body mass index (BMI) and obesity rates from 2013 to 2023. Their findings show that after years of steady increases, obesity rates will level off in 2022 and then decline slightly in 2023, marking a potential tipping point in America’s obesity epidemic.
The study found particularly significant declines in certain demographics and regions. The South, which had the highest rate of weight loss drug use, showed the most significant decline. Researchers found that obesity rates also decreased significantly in adults and women aged 66 to 75.
Dr. Benjamin Rader, principal investigator in the Computational Epidemiology Laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital, and colleagues analyzed data from Optum’s anonymized Market Clarity Data System. This data includes both medical claims and electronic medical records. According to their analysis, the population’s average BMI increased consistently from 2013 to 2021, plateaued at 30.24 in 2022, and then decreased slightly to 30.21 in 2023.
Particularly interesting aspects of this finding include regional differences in the use of GLP-1RA drugs (such as semaglutide). The South had the highest proportion of patients receiving these drugs at 6.0%, while the West had the highest proportion of patients receiving these drugs at just 3.4%. However, researchers caution that drug dispensing rates do not necessarily reflect actual usage patterns.
Glossary
- BMI (body mass index)
- A scale calculated by dividing body weight (kilograms) by height (meters) squared and used to classify weight status.
- GLP-1RA
- Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist – A type of drug used for weight loss and diabetes management.
- obesity
- A medical condition defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
When did this study first show a decline in obesity rates in the United States?
After a plateau in 2022, the first decline was observed in 2023.
What was the average BMI measurement in 2023?
The average BMI of the population in 2023 was 30.21.
Which regions had the highest use of GLP-1RA drugs and the greatest reductions in obesity rates?
The South had both the highest GLP-1RA dispensing rate (6.0%) and the most significant reduction in obesity rates.
What are the main limitations of this study that may affect the interpretation of the results?
This study is limited by the potential for selection bias, as BMI recorded during medical visits may bias estimates. Additionally, drug dispensing rates do not necessarily reflect actual usage, and the Southern results may have been influenced by disproportionately high COVID-19 mortality rates among obese people.
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