New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a troubling milestone: U.S. childhood and teen obesity rates have reached the highest levels ever recorded — even as adult obesity trends may be starting to slow.
According to findings from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES):
- 21.1% of children and teens ages 2–19 now have obesity — up from 5.2% in the early 1970s.
- 7% of children have severe obesity, a sevenfold increase over 50 years.
- Adult obesity stands at 40.3%, slightly down from its 2017–2018 peak of 42.4% — raising questions about whether adult rates are finally leveling off.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum at katelyn [dot] deckelbaum
gwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
William Dietz, is the director of research and policy for the Global Food Institute and a professor in the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. He is also the director of the STOP Obesity Alliance.
Christine Gordon is an associate professor of Medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is also a physician in the GW weight loss clinic.
Todd Miller, as an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, he is responsible for the development of the Master of Science concentration in Strength and Conditioning at GW, and currently serves as program director.
Elizabeth Choma is a pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at the GW School of Nursing.
Jennifer Walsh is a clinical assistant professor in the GW School of Nursing and primarily teaches pediatrics and health assessment.
Asefeh Faraz Covelli is an associate professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the GW School of Nursing.
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