Jan 22 (Reuters) - The following are facts about obesity in the United
States.
* About two-thirds of adults in the United States are considered
overweight or obese.
* Obesity has increased dramatically over the past two decades.
* In 2007, only one state, Colorado, had a prevalence of obesity less
than 20 percent. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25
percent; three of these states -- Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee -- had a
prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30 percent.
* An adult who has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered
overweight. An adult with a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. A BMI over
40 is defined as morbidly obese.
* About 9 million adult Americans are defined as morbidly obese,
according to the American Obesity Association. The morbidly obese population is
growing at the fastest rate.
* Obesity-related diseases include coronary heart disease, Type 2
diabetes, some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon), hypertension,
dyslipidemia, stroke, liver disease, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea,
respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, and gynecological problems, including
infertility.
* Obesity is associated with more than 100,000 deaths each year in the
United States.
* The direct and indirect costs of being overweight or obese is $117
billion per year, according the a 2000 report by the Office of the U.S. Surgeon
General.
(For related stories, click on)
(Compiled by Debra Sherman in Chicago; Editing by Eddie Evans) Keywords: USA
OBESITY/FACTS
(debra.sherman@thomsonreuters.com; +1 312 408 8134; Reuters Messaging:
debra.sherman.reuters.com@reuters.net)
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