U.S. obesity rates still high, but not growing
CHICAGO (AP) -- Obesity rates in U.S. adults and children have leveled off. That's a sliver of good news, but the problem remains a nationwide epidemic.
Government data released today show more than two-thirds of adults and almost a third of kids are overweight.
The 2007-08 data indicate that earlier signs of a plateau weren't a fluke. Percentages have held steady for about five years.
Dr. William Dietz of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the nation is "at the corner" but hasn't turned the corner.
The CDC reports show that 34 percent of adults are obese; and 17 percent of children are obese. Also, 10 percent of babies and toddlers are precariously heavy.
The reports are published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
