CDC: Obesity, diabetes on the rise among Americans

WASHINGTON A new survey released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics found that obesity and diabetes rates are at peak levels since the data collection for such conditions began more than 10 years ago.

The 2009 National Health Interview Survey, which was based on interviews with 88,129 people, found that the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults (ages 20 years and older) was 28%. The highest obesity rate was found among adults ages 40 to 59 years. The disparity between men and women was not statistically profound, the survey noted.

Similarly, diabetes rates among U.S. adults also rose to 9% in 2009, from 5.1% in 1997. Diabetes also was more prevalent among older adults than younger adults, the survey results showed. More Hispanics and African-Americans were diagnosed with diabetes, compared with whites.

Click here to read the full report.