Obesity

Currently, 65% of adult Americans are overweight (BMI > 25) and 21% are obese (BMI > 30). Metabolic syndrome represents 24% of the adult population. There are now an estimated 21 million people with diabetes in the USA and even more with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The lifetime risk of developing diabetes for people born in 2000 is 33% for men and 39% for women. For Hispanic women it is 50% risk of diabetes. In this population, cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death.

These increasing rates raise concern because of their implications for Americans’ health. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including the following:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
  
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
  
• Type 2 diabetes
  
• Coronary heart disease
  
• Stroke
  
• Gallbladder disease
  
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
  
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
  

Source: Center for Disease Control

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