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Obesity in America

The Obesity Epidemic

According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more than 66% of U.S. adults are over weight.  Even more startling, over 32% of U.S. adults are obese—that is more than 183 million people who are overweight, 72 million of which are obese!  Since 1980, obesity rates for adults have doubled and rates for children have tripled!

Health Consequences of Obesity

Obesity has physical, psychological, and social consequences in adults and children. Children and adolescents are developing obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that were once seen only in adults.

The Health Consequences of Obesity:

Coronary heart disease

Type 2 diabetes

Cancer (endometrial, breast, and colon)

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)

Stroke 

Liver and gallbladder disease

Sleep apnea and respiratory problems

Osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint)

Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

Obesity is Costly

In 2000, obesity-related health care costs totaled an estimated $117 billion.

Between 1987 and 2001, diseases associated with obesity account for 27% of the increases in medical costs.

Medical expenditures for obese workers, depending on severity of obesity and sex, are between 29%–117% greater than expenditures for workers with normal weight.