America’s obesity rate could drop faster than anywhere else in the world. A recent report says the rate is already falling, and it might continue to drop quickly in the coming years. This could lead to healthier Americans and fewer people at risk for serious health problems.
Obesity Rates Have Already Started Falling
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that obesity rates in the US have already begun to decrease. The CDC found that the number of obese adults dropped from 42% to 40.3%. This means that 4.1 million Americans have successfully lost weight and are no longer considered obese. This is a sign that the country is moving in the right direction.
More People Will Lose Weight in the Coming Years
Treated, a weight loss company, predicts that obesity in the US could continue to drop. They estimate that another 10.6% of Americans will lose weight by 2026. This means about 2.17 million people will successfully lose weight each year. In just a few years, this could add up to a total of 10 million people losing weight and getting out of obesity.
Why the US Is Losing Weight Faster Than Europe
The main reason the US is losing weight faster than other countries is because of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. These drugs are helping people to lose weight quickly. In the US, more people are using these drugs because they are more willing to pay for them. About one in eight Americans have tried a weight loss drug. In Europe, the numbers are much lower. This is one of the reasons the obesity rate in the US is dropping faster than in Europe.
Ozempic and Other Drugs Are Helping Many People
Dr. Daniel Atkinson from Treated believes that obesity in the US might have reached its peak. More people are losing weight and getting out of obesity than ever before. This could help prevent serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Obesity is linked to many health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also affect mental health, leading to depression and poor body image. Losing weight could improve the overall health of many Americans.
How Weight Loss Drugs Work
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic work by reducing hunger. People inject the drug once a week, and it helps them feel less hungry, so they eat less and lose weight. Many people in the US are using these drugs. By 2024, about 13% of adults, or 33 million people, will have tried a weight loss drug. In Europe, fewer people use these drugs. For example, only 1.5% of adults in Denmark, where the drugs were developed, have tried them. This shows that Americans are more likely to use weight loss drugs than Europeans.
What to Expect in the Future
The number of people using weight loss drugs is expected to grow in the US. By 2026, at least 2.86 million Americans could be using weight loss drugs like Ozempic. If this trend continues, it could lead to 2.17 million people losing weight every year. By 2030, up to 10 million Americans could successfully lose weight and get out of obesity. In Europe, the numbers are much lower. By 2026, only about 994,000 people in Europe will be using weight loss drugs. This will result in about 786,000 people losing weight every year.
The Side Effects of Weight Loss Drugs
While weight loss drugs are helping many people, they also come with some side effects. Some users report feeling sick, having stomach problems, or even more serious health issues like pancreatitis or blindness. In rare cases, some people have died while using the drugs, although it is not clear if the drugs caused their deaths. These side effects are important to consider before using weight loss drugs.
In the next few years, the US could see a significant drop in obesity rates. Thanks to weight loss drugs like Ozempic, millions of people are already losing weight and improving their health. This could lead to fewer cases of serious health problems and a healthier population overall. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these drugs have side effects and might not be the right choice for everyone. It will be interesting to see how the obesity rate continues to change in the coming years.
