Obesity is fast becoming
the number one health problem in the world, contributing to an increased risk
of other diseases and putting a strain on national health budgets. Following
are some interesting facts and figures related to obesity:
- About 17% of medical costs
in the US are due to obesity and its related diseases, totaling an
estimated $168 billion per year.
- An estimated 300,000
premature deaths in the US each year are caused by obesity.
- One third of US adults are
obese, indicating a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
- If an 18-year-old remains
obese throughout their adulthood, it will cost them $550,000.
- 80% of cases of Type 2
diabetes are related to obesity. The rate of diabetes has doubled in eight
states since 1995.
- 70% of heart disease is
obesity-related.
- Low-income women are more
likely to become obese than high-income women. Over 33% of people earning
less than $15,000 annually are obese, as opposed to a 24.6% rate of
obesity in those earning $50,000 or more.
- The highest rates of
obesity are found among non-Hispanic African Americans (44.1%), followed
by Mexican-Americans (39.3%), Hispanics (37.9%) and non-Hispanic whites
(32.6%). Asians have the lowest rate of obesity at 16.7%.
- In the last 30 years
childhood obesity has tripled, from 6.5% in children aged 6 to 11 years to
19.6% today. The obesity rate in teenagers aged 12 to 19 years has
increased from 5% to 18.1%.
- Of children who are
overweight at age 10-15, 80% will be obese as adults.
- As a percentage of the
population, the US has the highest number of obese people (33.9%),
followed by Mexico (24%), the UK (23%), Slovakia (22.4) and Greece (22%).
- College graduates have an
obesity rate of 20.8%, which is lower than the 29.5% rate of those who
have only graduated high school.
- Obesity begins to decline
after age 60. The population of those over age 69 has an obesity rate of
20.5%.
- The rate of obesity is
increasing in the US. In 2007 only one state had an overall obesity rate
of over 30%. In 2011, 12 states had a greater than 30% obesity rate.
- 40% of obese Americans
aged 50 to 84 have osteoarthritis of the knee, caused by the wear and tear
to the joints from excess weight stress. One extra pound of weight is
equivalent to four pounds of stress on the knee.
Author Bio:
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of
Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006.
He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and
improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the
years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy,
chiropractic care, and more...
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