Federal Cuts Threaten Hard-Won Gains in America’s Obesity Battle

For the first time in over a decade, fewer states report obesity rates exceeding 35%, a glimmer of hope amid America’s stubborn epidemic of excess weight. Yet this progress hangs by a thread as federal budget cuts and program eliminations jeopardize the very public health infrastructure that supports prevention efforts. Is Washington Undermining America’s Health Security? According to a new report analyzing 2024 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of states with adult obesity rates at or above 35% dropped from 23 to 19. Although this suggests a shift in the right direction,...