91. The percentage of young adults with obesity has skyrocketed
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
The percentage of young adults with obesity has skyrocketed over the last four decades, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at Johns Hopkins collected data from over 8,000 adults aged 18 to 25 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They found that the prevalence of obesity among young adults increased from just over 6 percent from 1976 to 1980 to almost one-third by 2017 to 2018. The percentage of young adults with normal weight dropped from over 68 percent to less than 38 percent over that time. The study did not include data from the pandemic, but the percentage of overweight or obese adults likely increased even more. The study provides more evidence that even young adults need to make lifestyle changes and take preventative steps to lead a healthier life.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
