Percentage Of U.S. Youth With Severe Pediatric Obesity Up 253% Since 2008

The percentage of youth in the United States with extremely severe obesity increased by 253% since 2008, from 0.32% of children in 2008 to 1.13% in 2023, according to a recent study. The researchers said the findings suggest that urgent public health interventions are needed to address the health risks caused by severe pediatric obesity. Youth with extremely severe obesity, compared to those with milder severity or no obesity, have higher risks of metabolic complications, such as liver disease, prediabetes and diabetes, severe insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

Childhood obesity of any severity is associated with a higher . . .