I American obesity rates appear to have leveled off, but still a third of U.S. adults are obese.

The Centers for Disease Control reported Wednesday that after 25 years of climbing obesity rates, there has been no significant increase in the past two years.

The CDC says Americans age 40 to 59 had the highest prevalence of obesity, with about 40 percent of that age group obese.

The government health centers also noted large race and ethnic disparities in obesity among women. More than half of African American and Mexican American women were obese, compared to less than 40 percent of white women.

The CDC notes that because of the "alarmingly high" rates of obesity in all population groups, it has made obesity prevention one of its top public health priorities.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.