Obesity still on the rise despite growing prevention efforts

Obesity prevalence in the country continues to rise despite growing efforts by states and counties to promote healthier lifestyles.

A new estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the obesity rate among adults in the U.S. crept upward in the past decade, but remained unchanged among youths.

The data, released Friday, estimates an obesity prevalence of 38 percent in adults and 17 percent in youths in 2013-14. While the rate for youths held steady compared with 2003-04, for adults it was up from 32 percent.

The new CDC numbers also reveal that obesity prevalence is higher among women than men. Overall, 38 percent of adult women were obese in 2011-14, compared with 34 percent of men.

Prevalence also differed by age and race. For one, the obesity rate for middle-aged adults was higher than for younger adults. Forty percent of middle-aged adults, ages 40 to 59, were obese, compared with 32 percent of adults ages 20 to 39, the report shows.

Obesity is a greater issue among black and Latino populations, according to the report. Forty-eight percent of blacks are considered obese. Within the Latino population, the number is 42 percent. This compares with an obesity prevalence of 34 percent among whites and 11 percent among Asians.

In California, where nearly 24 percent of the adult population is considered obese, public health departments have boosted efforts to push for exercise and healthier eating. Yet areas such as the Valley have struggled to keep up.

In Merced, health officials have estimated that about 40 percent of the population is considered obese – with women slightly more likely to be obese than men. According to estimates by healthdata.org, women in Merced County have a 45.4 percent obesity prevalence compared with men at 41.8 percent.

Health advocacy groups such as Cultiva La Salud in Merced County continue to work with partner organizations and community members to improve aspects of encouraging healthier living. According to Claudia Corchado, program manager for Cultiva La Salud, the organization is in the process of taking input from residents on how to advocate for healthy environments.

Some ideas presented by families include: more farm-to-school systems where locally grown food goes straight to school cafeterias; school gardens were children can learn about the origins of food; and an increase in resources for physical activity.

The program has been pushing for schools to allow their facilities to be used after hours for community exercise programs. Three schools are open after hours for local families: Livingston High, Farmdale Elementary in Merced and Winfield Elementary in Winton. Zumba classes for people of all ages are held several times a week.

Corchado said the program is working on having similar classes in Planada.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Obesity still on the rise despite growing prevention efforts."