The country's obesity problem will grow to 113 million Americans by 2022, a new report from GlobalData said.
The report analyzed the obesity rates of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Canada, Brazil and Japan; overall, researchers found the number of obese people in these countries will increase from 167 million as of 2012 to 213 million in 2022. The number of people in the same countries classified as overweight will increase from 250 million to roughly 272 million.
The United States is projected to lead all of the countries in obesity rates, followed by Brazil, which is projected to have 26 million obese people by 2022.
The study also found more American women than men are obese, with non-Hispanic black women the most affected demographic, followed closely by Mexican-American women.
In a statement released last week, GlobalData's researchers attributed the increase to "the rising prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and physical activity, combined with high-calorie diets." In addition, researchers said, having an obese family member is a major risk factor, for both genetic reasons and for likely similarities in diets and environment.
Alison Carpenter, GlobalData's analyst for covering epidemiology, said it would be "difficult for public health organizations and policymakers to aim effective control measures at these populations to contain this growing epidemic."
An August report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America's Health showed that despite the steep rise in obesity rates over the last three decades, rates leveled out in every state but Arkansas. The report also found every state had adult obesity rates of at least 20 percent, 13 states had rates above 30 percent and 41 had rates of at least 25 percent, while no state had rates above 20 percent in 1991.
To learn more:
- here's the report
- read GlobalData's announcement
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