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Obesity Levels in America
The United States has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world. Approximately 300,000 adult deaths in America each year are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity or sedentary behavior.
Overweight Adults in America
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight (BMI > 25, which includes those who are obese).
Levels of Overweight
All adults: 129.6 million (64.5 percent)
Women: 64.5 million (61.9 percent)
Men: 65.1 million (67.2 percent)
Obese Adults in America
Nearly one-third of U.S. adults are obese (BMI > 30).
Levels of Obesity
All adults: 61.3 million (30.5 percent)
Women: 34.7 million (33.4 percent)
Men: 26.6 million (27.5 percent)
Adults of Healthy Weight
Less than half of U.S. adults have a healthy weight (BMI > 18.5 to < 25).
Healthy Weight Levels
All adults: 67.3 million (33.5 percent)
Women: 36.7 million (35.3 percent)
Men: 30.6 million (31.8 percent)
Overweight, Obesity in Children and Adolescents
While there is no generally accepted definition for obesity as distinct from overweight in children and adolescents, the prevalence of overweight is increasing for children and adolescents in the United States.
Child/Adolescent Weight Levels
Approximately 15.3 percent of children (ages 6hahaha8211;11) and 15.5 percent of adolescents (ages 12hahaha8211;19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15 percent of children and 14.9 percent of adolescents were at risk for overweight (BMI for age between the 85th and 95th percentile).
Obese children are more likely to become obese adults, at higher risk for virtually every major chronic disease, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
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