Obesity in America Facts and Statistics

Around 35% or 78.6 million of US Population is Obese. It means more than one-third of the American population score above 30 on BMI. Those who score more than 30 on BMI scale are considered as Obese, and those who score between 25 to 30 are taken as overweight. Now if we add all overweight and obese people of America then they will make around 74% of US Population. It means 39% of US Population is overweight and 35% is Obese. Most people say that its a side-effect of being one of the most advanced countries in the world. Lets dig this fact little further.

Facts about Obesity in America

Is Obesity connected to our earning level ?

Some surveys conducted on American citizens concluded that our earning level have effect on our obesity level. But the results are different for both genders. Those men who are earning more prone to obesity while women have totally opposite relation between earning level and obesity. The more a woman earn, more are chances for her to be slim.

Is Obesity connected to our educational status ?

Yes, a survey conducted on US Citizens concludes that educational status is connected to obesity only in women. The more educated a women is, lesser are the chances of being obese. But there is no effect on men. It simply means that women utilize their knowledge to have a better health but men only chase wealth.

Age Group Wise Obesity Percentage in US

Age Group 02 - 05 Years: More than 8% are Obese
Age Group 06 - 11 Years: More than 17% are Obese
Age Group 12 - 19 Years: More than 20% are Obese
Age Group 20 - 39 Years: More than 30% are Obese
Age Group 40 - 59 Years: More than 39% are Obese
Age Group Over 60 Years: More than 35% are Obese

Note : In age group of 2 - 19 Years, Obesity is defined as BMI level of above 95th percentile.

As you can see from the above data that obesity percentage increases with age-group till the age of 60. After that it decreases slightly due to old age diseases and diet changes.

Obesity leads to other diseases

Its a matter to think about as obesity is the path to a number of diseases which are considered as best killer diseases in US. Some of these diseases are

• Heart diseases
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain types of Cancer (Like breast cancer and colon cancer)
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep Apmea
• Gall Bladder Disease

Obesity affects the Economy

These diseases not only affect the health of American citizens but also affect the economy of state and all families. During year 2008 Annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion which is almost twice the US budget allocated for healthcare annually. According to an estimate the medical costs for obese people is $1,429 higher than those of normal people.

Major Causes of Obesity in USA

Family Lifestyle
Smoking
Genetics
Unbalanced Diet
Inactivity
Age
Lack of Sleep
Medical Problems

Some Unknown facts about Obesity in America

1 out of 3 is Obese
1 out of 20 is extremely obese
2 out of 3 Americans are overweight
Today an average American is 23 pounds heavier than 40 years ago.
Obese people in America spend around $1500 more compared to normal american on his/her healthcare.
In current trend continues then by 2030 almost half of the population of America will be obese.