WASHINGTON: One in three American adults is obese, a national level that has stayed the same in recent years, said US data released on Tuesday.

About one in six children and teenagers are also obese, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association report which showed that obesity remains a significant problem in US society despite efforts to combat it.

“Obesity prevalence shows little change over the past 12 years, although the data are consistent with the possibility of slight increases,” said the article.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index, or a formula based on height and weight, that is 30 or higher.—AFP