OBESITY
IN THE U.S.
OBESITY
IN THE U.S.
Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial chronic disease. It is the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Overweight and obesity are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' health agenda.
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alth related factsObesity increases the risk of illness from about 30 serious medical conditions. Obesity is associated with increases in deaths from all-causes. Earlier onset of obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are being reported in children and adolescents with obesity. Individuals with obesity are at higher risk for impaired mobility. Overweight individuals experience social stigmatization and discrimination in employment and academic situations.
age related facts
Overweight and obesity increases steadily with age for both men and women. In the last decade, all adult age groups in both genders have experienced an increase in overweight and obesity. At a minimum, half of all age groups are overweight and at least 20 percent obese. The age group with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity among men is 65 to 74 years, and among women, 55 to 64 years.
gender related facts
The prevalence of overweight is higher for men (67 percent) than women (62 percent). The prevalence of obesity is higher for women (34 percent) than men (27.7 percent) as is severe obesity; women (6.3 percent) and men (3.1 percent). The increase in overweight, obesity and severe obesity prevalence is evident in adults (aged 20 to 74) of both genders over the last decade.
geographic related facts
| U.S. States | 1991 (%) | 1998 (%) | 2000 (%) | 2001 (%) |
| Alabama | 13.2 | 20.7 | 23.5 | 23.4 |
| Alaska | 13.1 | 20.7 | 20.5 | 21.0 |
| Arizona | 11.0 | 12.7 | 18.8 | 17.9 |
| Arkansas | 12.7 | 19.2 | 22.6 | 21.7 |
| California | 10.0 | 16.8 | 19.2 | 20.9 |
| Colorado | 8.4 | 14.0 | 13.8 | 14.4 |
| Connecticut | 10.9 | 14.7 | 16.9 | 17.3 |
| Delaware | 14.9 | 16.6 | 16.2 | 20.0 |
| District of Columbia | 15.2 | 19.9 | 21.2 | 19.9 |
| Florida | 10.1 | 17.4 | 18.1 | 18.4 |
| Georgia | 9.2 | 18.7 | 20.9 | 22.1 |
| Hawaii | 10.4 | 15.3 | 15.1 | 17.6 |
| Idaho | 11.7 | 16.0 | 18.4 | 20.0 |
| Illinois | 12.7 | 17.9 | 20.9 | 20.5 |
| Indiana | 14.8 | 19.5 | 21.3 | 24.0 |
| Iowa | 14.4 | 19.3 | 20.8 | 21.8 |
| Kansas | No data | 17.3 | 20.1 | 21.0 |
| Kentucky | 12.7 | 19.9 | 22.3 | 24.2 |
| Louisiana | 15.7 | 21.3 | 22.8 | 23.3 |
| Maine | 12.1 | 17.0 | 19.7 | 19.0 |
| Maryland | 11.2 | 19.8 | 19.5 | 19.8 |
| Massachusetts | 8.8 | 13.8 | 16.4 | 16.1 |
| Michigan | 15.2 | 20.7 | 21.8 | 24.4 |
| Minnesota | 10.6 | 15.7 | 16.8 | 19.2 |
| Mississippi | 15.7 | 22.0 | 24.3 | 25.9 |
| Missouri | 12.0 | 19.8 | 21.6 | 22.5 |
| Montana | 9.5 | 14.7 | 15.2 | 18.2 |
| Nebraska | 12.5 | 17.5 | 20.6 | 20.1 |
| Nevada | No data | 13.4 | 17.2 | 19.1 |
| New Hampshire | 10.4 | 14.7 | 17.1 | 19.0 |
| New Jersey | 9.7 | 15.2 | 17.6 | 19.0 |
| New Mexico | 7.8 | 14.7 | 18.8 | 18.8 |
| New York | 12.8 | 15.9 | 17.2 | 19.7 |
| North Carolina | 13.0 | 19.0 | 21.3 | 22.4 |
| North Dakota | 12.9 | 18.7 | 19.8 | 19.9 |
| Ohio | 14.9 | 19.5 | 21.0 | 21.8 |
| Oklahoma | 11.9 | 18.7 | 19.0 | 22.1 |
| Oregon | 11.2 | 17.8 | 21.0 | 20.7 |
| Pennsylvania | 14.4 | 19.0 | 20.7 | 21.4 |
| Rhode Island | 9.1 | 16.2 | 16.8 | 17.3 |
| South Carolina | 13.8 | 20.2 | 21.5 | 21.7 |
| South Dakota | 12.8 | 15.4 | 19.2 | 20.6 |
| Tennessee | 12.1 | 18.5 | 22.7 | 22.6 |
| Texas | 12.7 | 19.9 | 22.7 | 23.8 |
| Utah | 9.7 | 15.3 | 18.5 | 18.4 |
| Vermont | 10.0 | 14.4 | 17.7 | 17.1 |
| Virginia | 10.1 | 18.2 | 17.5 | 20.0 |
| Washington | 9.9 | 17.6 | 18.5 | 18.9 |
| West Virginia | 15.2 | 22.9 | 22.8 | 24.6 |
| Wisconsin | 12.7 | 17.9 | 19.4 | 21.9 |
| Wyoming | No data | 14.5 | 17.6 | 19.2 |
| Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1991 - 2001. | ||||