On this page:

• Effects of Unhealthy Eating
• Health Risks of Being Overweight
• Related Links

From 1987 to 2000, overweight and obesity increased dramatically among US adults, and now obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Nearly 59 million adults are obese, and the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the last 20 years. Fifteen percent of Americans aged 6-19 years are overweight.

• Poor diet is a major risk factor leading to 300,000 deaths each year - second only to tobacco use.
• People who are overweight or obese increase their risk for:
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Arthritis-related disabilities
  • Some cancers

Health Risks of Being Overweight

Weighing too much may increase your risk for developing many health problems. If you are overweight or obese on a body mass index (BMI) chart, you may be at risk for:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease and stroke
• Cancer
• Sleep apnea
• Osteoarthritis
• Gallbladder disease
• Fatty liver disease

Related Links

Visit our Related Links webpage for additional nutrition information.

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