• What are overweight and obesity?

• How are overweight and obesity measured?

• Body Mass Index Table

• Why do statistics about overweight and obesity differ?

• Prevalence statistics related to overweight and obesity

• Economic costs related to overweight and obesity

• Other statistics related to overweight and obesity

• References

Nearly two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight, and 30.5 percent are obese, according to data from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This fact sheet presents statistics on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the U.S., as well as their disease, mortality, and economic costs. To understand these statistics, it is necessary to know how overweight and obesity are defined and measured. This fact sheet also explains why statistics from different sources may not match.

Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for:

• diabetes

• heart disease

• stroke

• hypertension

• gallbladder disease

• osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage and bone of joints)

• sleep apnea and other breathing problems

• some forms of cancer (uterine, breast, colorectal, kidney, and gallbladder)

Obesity is also associated with:

• high blood cholesterol

• complications of pregnancy

• menstrual irregularities

• hirsutism (presence of excess body and facial hair)

• stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by weak pelvic-floor muscles)

• psychological disorders such as depression

• increased surgical risk

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What are overweight and obesity?

Overweight refers to an excess of body weight compared to set standards. The excess weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Obesity refers specifically to having an abnormally high proportion of body fat.[1] A person can be overweight without being obese, as in the example of a bodybuilder or other athlete who has a lot of muscle. However, many people who are overweight are also obese.

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How are overweight and obesity measured?