Adult Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States more than one-third of adults—over 72 million people—are obese. The epidemic affects the entire nation; in every single state in America more than 19% of adults are obese, and in twelve states over 30% of adults are obese. Rising obesity rates affect everyone by causing an increase in health care costs that is eventually absorbed by families, businesses and government.  Studies estimate the obesity epidemic costs the United States more than $147 billion per year in direct medical costs and even more in indirect costs related to reduced productivity and absenteeism.

Though many factors influence a person’s risk of obesity – including genetics, behavior and the environment in which a person lives – at the most basic level, obesity is caused by an imbalance in the amount of calories taken in through food and beverages and the amount of calories used up through daily physical activity.

Adults who are overweight or obese are a greater risk for a whole host of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

The good news is that by developing healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and regular physical activity, anyone can lower their risk of becoming obese and developing obesity-related diseases. For more information on lifestyle changes to prevent obesity, visit our Nutrition and Healthy Eating and Physical Activity and Active Living pages.

Aside from personal actions to increase physical activity and eat healthier, there are also actions that can be taken at the federal, state and community level to address obesity. Click on the links below to learn more about each strategy (adapted from the CDC):

The Federal U.S. Government can:

• Promote change
• First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let’s Move! program which seeks to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation. The campaign’s main points of action are: empowering parents and caregivers; providing healthy food in schools; improving access to healthy, affordable foods; and, increasing physical activity
• Recommend actions

• In May 2010, the Task Force on Childhood Obesity, appointed by President Obama, released 70 recommended actions to prevent and control childhood obesity.

States can:

• Provide supermarkets and farmers markets with incentives to establish their businesses in low-income areas and to offer healthy foods.
• Expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.

• Adopt policies that promote bicycling and public transportation.

Communities can:

• Create and maintain safe neighborhoods for physical activity and improve access to parks and playgrounds.
• Advocate for quality physical education in schools and childcare facilities.
• Support programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.

• Promote policies and programs at school, at work, and in the community that make the healthy choice the easy choice.