Obesity rates have plateaued since 2000

Americans aren't getting any fatter, but they aren't getting any thinner, either. A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that obesity rates in adults rose from 30.5% in 1999 to 35.7% in 2010. By contrast, obesity rates doubled in the previous 2 decades.

Although researchers called the plateau better than a continued increase, they were disappointed they did not see a reversal of the trend, given the enormous efforts put into anti-obesity campaigns, particularly those aimed at children. More than 78 million adults-a third of the population-and 12.5 million children were obese in 2009-10.

Since 2009 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded more than $119 million to states and territories for programs aimed at reducing obesity, including increasing exercise and improving nutrition. Some states have banned soda and candy from school vending machines to try and lower obesity rates among children.