US Obesity Epidemic Continues; Men Got Fatter, Study Says

By Ivana Kvesic, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The U.S. obesity epidemic shows no signs of decline and men have gotten heavier, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest.

In a report published by the health organization on Tuesday, titled “Prevalence of Obesity in the United States, 2009-2010,” researchers found that little has changed in the United States since 2007-2008 with regards to obesity.

The report found that from 2009-2010, 35.7 percent of adults in the United States were obese, while 16.9 percent of children suffered from the same concerns.

The numbers are truly shocking as the research found that over 78 million adults or more than one third of adults, and 12.5 million children aged 2-19 are suffering from obesity.

“There has been no change in obesity prevalence in recent years; however, over the last decade there has been a significant increase in obesity prevalence among men and boys but not among women and girls overall,” the report said.

However, health researchers have suggested that there is a silver lining to the report: although obesity rates have not declined, they have not risen either.

“It’s good that we didn’t see increases. On the other hand, we didn’t see any decreases in any group,” CDC researcher Cynthia Ogden told The Associated Press.

The published research comes on the heels of a new hard-hitting advertising campaign taken on by New York City health officials attempting to promote healthier lifestyles.

The advertising campaign aimed at healthy lifestyles and portion control displays shocking images of how portion sizes have ballooned and show consumers gulping globs of fat from beverages.

The campaign is aimed to reach the over 57 percent of New Yorkers that struggle with obesity and being overweight.

One particularly poignant image plastered on New York City’s subway systems shows a diabetic man sitting near soda cups. His legs were amputated.

“These are hard-hitting images because we really felt we need to drive home a pint that large portions are not completely benign,” city health commissioner Thomas Farley told Reuters.

“Cut Your Portions, Cut Your Risk,” read the ads.