How many people in the United States are overweight or obese?
Among U.S. women 20 years and older, over 64 million are overweight and over 34 million are obese. How do I know if I’m overweight or obese? Obesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. Body Mass Index You can find out your BMI using the calculator at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi, or the chart at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.htm. What causes someone to become overweight or obese? An unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are contributing factors to becoming overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are problems that continue to get worse in the United States. Bigger portion sizes, little time to exercise or cook healthy meals, and relying on cars to get around are just a few reasons for this increase. What are the health effects of being overweight or obese? An unhealthy diet and phys