Obesity In The U.S.

www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_US.shtml

Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial chronic disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.

OVERALL PREVALENCE

• Approximately 127 million adults in are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese.

• Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to determine excess body weight. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or more, obesity is 30 or more, and severe obesity is 40 or more.

• Currently, 64.5% of U.S. adults, age 20 years and older, are overweight; 30.5% are obese. Severe obesity is now 4.7%, up from 2.9%.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL IMPACT

• Obesity increases the risk of illness from about 30 serious medical conditions.

• Obesity is associated with increases in deaths from all causes.

• Earlier onset of obesity related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are being reported in children and adolescents with obesity.

• Individuals with obesity are at higher risk for impaired mobility.

• Overweight or obese individuals experience social stigmatization, discrimination in employment and academic situations.

AGE FACTOR

• Overweight and obesity increases with age for men and women. In the last decade, all adult age groups in both genders have experienced an increase in overweight and obesity.

• At a minimum, half of all age groups are overweight and at least 20% obese.

• The age group with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity among men is 65 to 74 years, and among women, 55 to 64 years.

GENDER

• The prevalence of overweight is higher for men (67%) than women (62%).

• The prevalence of obesity is higher for women (34%) than men (27.7%) as is severe obesity; women (6.3%) and men (3.1%).

• The increase in overweight, obesity and severe obesity is evident in adults (age 20 to 74) of both genders over the last decade.

EDUCATION LEVELS

• Obesity prevalence has increased across all education levels, and is higher for persons with less education.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

• Obesity prevalence has increased in all regions of the U.S. and has increased in most states over the last decade.

www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_US.shtml

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