Final answer:
The latest studies indicate that the rate of obesity among U.S. adults is approximately 40%. This figure includes 100.1 million American adults and 14.7 million children. The obesity epidemic has been rising, particularly in the southern states of the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the latest studies, the rate of obesity among U.S. adults is approximately 40%. The obesity rate has been steadily rising since the 1980s. By 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly 36 percent of adults over 20 years old were obese, and with the inclusion of those who are overweight, over 70 percent of the U.S. adult population has a weight above the healthy standard. The highest levels of obesity are found in the southern states, and the rate of childhood obesity is also increasing. Recent data suggests that approximately 100.1 million American adults and 14.7 million children are obese, indicating a significant public health concern.