The case in summary • After 40 years of increase, the fatty acids in the USA show a slight decrease for the first time.• Although the proportion with morbid obesity increases somewhat, the much larger obesity group shows a slight decrease.• The decrease comes at the same time that slimming drugs came on the market , which could be a possible reason.• A trend towards a healthier and more plant-based diet could be another factor.• In Norway, the fatty metal is between 20 and 25 per cent, and it is uncertain whether there is any decrease here.• Slimming medicine is expensive and is only available to the rich globally. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Four out of ten US adults are obese. It is referred to as an epidemic, and a huge problem for public health. But for the first time in a very, very long time, you are now seeing a slight decline. Although the proportion with morbid obesity increases somewhat, the much larger obese group shows a slight decrease. The figures appear in a survey from the state-run National Center for Health Statistics in the USA. – It is very interesting. Although there is not a significant decrease, it is not an increase, says Jøran Hjelmesæth, section chief physician at the hormone, obesity and nutrition department at Vestfold Hospital. – The decline comes at the same time that slimming drugs came on the market. Is that the explanation? – I think it is not a bad speculation. The new slimming drugs came a few years ago. But there could be several possible reasons, says Hjelmesæth. He says a trend towards a healthier and more plant-based diet may be another factor. Lower figures in Norway According to the obesity expert, the decline may be a random variation, and that the figures can primarily be interpreted as that it has stabilised. – It should only be missing when you are up to 40 percent. In Norway, the figure is between 20 and 25 per cent, says Hjelmesæth. OBESITY EXPERT: Jøran Hjelmesæth works as a section chief physician and is a professor at the University of Oslo. Photo: Veslemøy Marie Grilstad Prøis / news Whether there is any decline in Norway now is uncertain. He says we do not have exact figures on obesity in Norway, but that population surveys have given an indication. What makes the survey in the US good is that it is based on objective measurement and weighing, not self-reporting which may contain errors, writes the Financial Times. The newspaper draws a parallel to 1963, when cigarette sales peaked and later began to fall. New medicines Hjelmesæth says slimming medicine globally is only for the rich. In the USA, for example, Wegovy costs around NOK 10,000 a month, in Norway NOK 3,000. – Unfortunately, it is the case that some people start taking the medicine, but cannot afford to continue, and then gain weight again, he says. He is critical of the fact that slimming surgery is covered in Norway, but not medicine. MORE MEDICINES: The slimming medicine Wegovy. In November, another new medicine will be on the market. Photo: Ola Hana / news In November, there will be a new medicine on the Norwegian market that will be even more effective. Mounjaro is used for both diabetes and obesity. More medicines on the market can result in a lower price for customers. The slimming drugs have become so popular in the world that the factories are unable to produce enough. Selling less Hjelmesæth refers to another piece of news that can substantiate that something is about to happen in the US. – Walmart has reported that sales of energy-dense foods, also called junk food, have begun to decline. He says the chain of stores has wondered how to deal with it, and that the conclusion was to reduce the packaging, but sell at the same price. – From a public health perspective, I completely agree, says Hjelmesæth. The hated shrink inflation can have positive consequences, he believes. He says that preventing obesity globally cannot be done with drugs. It requires overall measures. – The social doctor is the politicians. What we need is to increase taxes on unhealthy foods and subsidize healthy foods, he concludes. Published 05.10.2024, at 15.18
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The US obesity epidemic may have reached its peak – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
