September 27, 2022
Obesity rates have been rising for decades across states, ages, sexes, and racial/ethnic groups, with continued increases during the COVID-19 pandemic. These long-term, cross-population trends underscore the nature of the crisis as a population-level problem tied to social, economic, and environmental factors in the United States, most of which are outside of an individual's control. Some of these factors affect available choices and habits directly related to diet, nutrition, and physical activity—for example, the availability, cost, marketing, taste, and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables versus calorie-rich foods like junk food and soda, and the availability, safety, and convenience of active transportation, parks, playgrounds, and facilities for exercise and physical activity. It is also important to consider the role other factors—like stress, discrimination, poverty, economic opportunity, and food insecurity— play in determining the health and well-being of every AmericanThis is the 19th annual report by Trust for America's Health on the obesity crisis in the United States. This year, our special feature highlights food and nutrition insecurity among youth and families. This report, as in previous years, also includes a section that reviews the latest data available on adult and childhood obesity rates, a section that examines key current and emerging policies, and, finally, a section that outlines recommended policy actions.
