Many individuals find that they are in a continual battle with trying to maintain a healthy body weight, take care of household chores and responsibilities, and excel within the workplace. The end result, in many instances it means failing to exercise regularly, inconsistent dietary habits, and erratic sleeping patterns.

This being all too true for many individuals, it is not surprising that for the past couple of decades, the obesity rate in the United States has been steadily increasing.

However, a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the trend may finally be slowing down. Overall obesity rates for both women and men leveled off at around 36% in 2010. These rates are similar to those recorded in 2003 through 2008.

Obesity is specifically defined as having a BMI (body mass index) of at least 30 or higher. The BMI approach to determining if an individual is underweight, overweight, or within the medically approved weight range utilizes their weight and height as the variables in the calculation. The findings are the result of a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, that was conducted from 2009 through 2010.

Good News, Says CDC – However, Obesity Awareness Needs to Continue

According to Michael Zemel, a University of Tennessee nutrition professor, the news should be regarded as bittersweet. While Zemel is pleased that the rising obesity trend finally seems to be hitting a plateau, he stresses the fact that obesity is still an enormous problem in America, especially in light of the condition’s associated health risks. It’s been scientifically proven that obese individuals are at a greater risk for various types of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Although the medical community is unsure as to why obesity rates have finally leveled off, Zemel has a theory: rising levels of public awareness. According to Zemel, it was fairly uncommon, even taboo, for doctors to openly discuss obesity with their patients just 20 years ago. This has now changed.

Zemel said that, despite the fact that so many Americans continue to consume too many calories while engaging in too little exercise, overall awareness is much higher – and not just because of doctor-patient discussions. More restaurants are offering nutritional information alongside their menus, the public is becoming more adept at reading food labels, and grocery stores are beginning to stock larger selections of healthier, lower-calorie products. Meanwhile, it’s becoming easier for Americans to access sound nutritional and exercise advice thanks to the wide range of fitness resource sites that have popped up online.

Breaking Down Obesity Rates for Adults

The study conducted to ascertain the current obesity rate in the United States looked at the height and weight measurements of roughly 6,000 adults between 2009 and 2010, along with nearly 23,000 adults from 1999 until 2008. Overall rates stayed roughly the same, but fluctuated for certain demographics:

• Among men, obesity rates increased by 4% from 1999 until 2010.

• Among women, obesity rates remained the same during this period.

• Among black and Hispanic women, obesity rates increased by 3% during this period.

• Among black men, obesity rates hit 39% in 2010. For white men, the figure was 36% that same year.

• Obesity rates differed greatly between white women (32%) and black women (59%).

Breaking Down Obesity Rates for Children

In addition to adults, roughly 4,100 children were surveyed as part of a related study. Based on that data, it was determined that childhood obesity rates remained constant between 2007 and 2010. Roughly 17% of individuals aged 2 to 19 are either obese or overweight.

Although the term “obese” isn’t generally used to refer to toddlers and infants, the study did reveal that roughly 10% of those younger than age 2 were too heavy for their height.

Generally, obesity rates were higher among Hispanic and black children than white children.

Obesity Rate in the United States: The Bottom Line

After decades of steady incline, recent studies indicate that obesity rates have reached a plateau for both adults and children in the United States. Some believe that this is a result of increasing public awareness about the dangers of obesity, as well as food labels, nutritional information regarding restaurants foods, and healthier food choices.

However, with over one-third of the United States population technically obese, there is much work that remains before the obesity epidemic can truly be considered under control.