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The obesity test: Two out of every three Americans are overweight

Category: Diabetes

Two recent studies have shown that U.S. obesity rates remain extremely high, but have stopped increasing and are beginning to stabilize.

According to research released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three American adults is obese, and two out of every three are overweight. The studies also found that obesity rates among already overweight adolescent boys appear to be increasing, Health Day reports.

"The obesity rates have somewhat leveled off, and for the most part that's good, but the bad news is that they have leveled off at a prevalence rate that is alarmingly high," says Scott Kahan, co-director of the George Washington University Weight Management Program, quoted by CNN.

"We have a lot of work to do, and this has to be a national priority to move forward from here," he added.

The cause of weight stabilization in the U.S. is still unclear, although experts believe that the trend may be due to greater public awareness regarding the importance of exercise and healthy dieting.

Researchers found that rates for obesity in women have been much more stable than men over the past decade.