Morbid Obesity Fact Sheet

Obesity in the U.S.

Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial chronic disease involving environmental (social and cultural), genetic, physiologic, metabolic, behavioral and psychological components. 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 that have steadily moved away from their established targets for improvement. Today, public health leaders recognize obesity as a "neglected public health problem." This fact sheet will demonstrate the impact of overweight and obesity on millions of Americans of all ages and both genders.

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Obesity in Minority Populations

Overweight and obesity in the U.S. occur at higher rates in racial / ethnic minority populations such as African American and Hispanic Americans, compared with White Americans. Asian-Americans have a relatively low prevalence for obesity. Women and persons of low socioeconomic status within minority populations appear to particularly be affected by overweight and obesity. Cultural factors that influence dietary and exercise behaviors are reported to play a major role in the development of excess weight in minority groups.

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Women and Obesity

Obesity plays a significant role in causing poor health in women, negatively affecting quality of life and shortening quantity of life. More than half of adult U.S. women are overweight, and more than one-third are obese. The life expectancy of women in the U.S. is approaching 80 years of age, and more women than ever are expected to turn 65 in the second decade of the new millennium. Prevention and early treatment of obesity are crucial to ensuring a healthy population of women of all ages.

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Obesity in Youth

Diabetes, hypertension and other obesity-related chronic diseases that are prevalent among adults have now become more common in youngsters. The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight and obese is now higher than ever before. Poor dietary habits and inactivity are reported to contribute to the increase of obesity in youth. Today's youth are considered the most inactive generation in history caused in part by reductions in school physical education programs and unavailable or unsafe community recreational facilities. In the U.S., only the state of Illinois requires daily physical education for students in grades K to 12.

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Health Effects of Obesity

Persons with obesity are at risk of developing one or more serious medical conditions, which can cause poor health and premature death.   Obesity is associated with more than 30 medical conditions, and scientific evidence has established a strong relationship with at least 15 of those conditions. Preliminary data also show the impact of obesity on various other conditions. Weight loss of about 10% of body weight, for persons with overweight or obesity, can improve some obesity-related medical conditions including diabetes and hypertension.

Obesity Research

In the last four decades of obesity research, progress has been made in identifying causes and treatments. Research has provided a greater understanding of obesity as a chronic disease caused by a complex interaction of genetic, metabolic, behavioral, psychological and environmental (social and cultural) factors. Despite the advances in research, however, children, adolescents and adults are continuing to become overweight and obese in record high numbers. Due to the complexity of obesity, more research is needed in a variety of areas particularly in prevention to control the spread of this epidemic.

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