Overweight & Obesity; America’s Fattest States
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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