These 20 Facts on Obesity May Help You Change Your Ways.

Understanding obesity, and simply reading these 20 facts on obesity, may be the motivation you need to overcome obesity. Obesity in America continues to rise, and the serious health risks associated with obesity are downright scary. Those who are obese are literally fighting life threatening illnesses such as coronary artery disease and diabetes because of their weight. Hopefully these following facts on obesity will help you commit to overcoming obesity.

1. Between 1980 and 2000, obesity rates doubled among adults. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese (30% of the adult population), and 9 million are severely obese.

2. According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity and overweight together are the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. An estimated 300,000 deaths per year are due to the obesity epidemic.

3. Obesity increases your risk for developing as many as 30 serious medical conditions.

4. Morbid obesity is defined as weighing 100 pounds more than your ideal weight, or having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.

5. Those defined as morbidly obese have reached a weight where they have significantly increased their risk for one or more obesity-related health conditions. These conditions can lead to serious disability or even death.

6. Overweight people are at greater risk of becoming obese.

7. Obesity is a result of a combination of factors, including behavioral, genetic, environmental, metabolic and psychological.

8. One pound of fat equals 3,500 calories. For every 3,500 calories you consume that you do not burn, you will gain one pound. (Of course, for every 3,500 calories you burn that you don’t make up for in food, you will lose one pound!)

9. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool used to determine excess body weight. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or more, obesity is 30 or more, and severe obesity is a BMI of 40 or more.

10. A weight loss of even 10% of your body weight if you are overweight or obese can improve some obesity-related medical conditions including diabetes and hypertension.

11. Obesity increases your risk for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

12. Obesity increases your risk for a number of cancers, including breast cancer and endometrial cancers in women, renal cell cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancers of the esophagus and gastric cardia.

13. Type 2 diabetes is being reported in more and more children, and at younger ages. This was typically only seen in adults, and is often a result of obesity.

14. Obesity is an increasing trend in our children. Between

1971 and 1974, 6.1% of boys were obese and 6.2% of girls aged 12-19. Between 1999 and 2000 these numbers jumped to 15.5% for both boys and girls.

15. In one large study, 61 percent of overweight 5- to10-year-olds already had at least one risk factor for heart disease, and 26% had two or more risk factors for the disease.

16. Homemade portions of most foods have increased in size, with the average American eating 50 to 100 more calories per serving of each food in 1996 than in 1977. This can equal to an additional 500 calories a day!

17. Only about 25% of U.S. adults and less than 25% of adolescents eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the recommended amount.

18. More than 50% of American adults do not get the recommended amount of physical activity to provide health benefits, and more than a third of young people in grades 9-12 do not regularly engage in physical activity.

19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established an obesity Trailblazer Team to focus on combating the problem of overweight and obesity in the United States. About 15 CDC divisions and programs currently conduct overweight and obesity-related public health activities.

20. Direct costs attributable to obesity have been estimated at $52 billion in 1995 and $75 billion in 2003.

As you can see, obesity is a very concerning problem. Overcome-Obesity-Today.com hopes these 20 facts on obesity have made you more determine than ever to overcome obesity. You’ll find that this website is here to help you fight the fight!