Americans are gaining weight at a startling rate, with the average adult weighing about 15 pounds more than 20 years ago. A healthy person has a BMI of 18.5 to 24, while an obese person has a BMI above 30. Today, about 40 percent of U.S. adults and nearly 20 percent of children are obese. Being overweight or obese can have a serious impact on health, according to WHO. Carrying extra fat leads to serious health consequences such as cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, and some cancers (endometrial, breast and colon). These conditions cause premature death and substantial disability. Read more.
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