Obesity Statistics
Obesity Related Diseases - Childhood Obesity Figures
Statistics on Obesity, Excess Weight, Overweight

Approximately 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity or sedentary behavior

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight (BMI > 25, which includes those who are obese).

Nearly one-third of U.S. adults are obese (BMI > 30).

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has steadily increased over the years among both genders, all ages, all racial/ethnic groups, and all educational levels.

Approximately 15.3 percent of children (ages 6–11) and 15.5 percent of adolescents (ages 12–19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15 percent of children and 14.9 percent of adolescents were at risk for overweight (based on BMI / body mass index measures).

An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the U.S. can be attributed to excess weight.

Americans spend $33 billion annually on weight-loss products and services.

About 25 percent of young people (ages 12–21 years) participate in light to moderate activity (e.g., walking, bicycling) nearly every day. About 50 percent regularly engage in vigorous physical activity. Approximately 25 percent report no vigorous physical activity, and 14 percent report no recent vigorous or light to moderate physical activity.

The percentage of children and adolescents who are defined as overweight has more than doubled since the early 1970s.

In 1999-2000, over 10 percent of younger preschool children between ages 2 and 5 are overweight, up from 7 percent in 1994

Definitions:

Overweight: 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. Individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.

Obesity: Obesity refers specifically to having an abnormally high proportion of body fat. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.

BMI or body mass index: A number of methods are used to determine if someone is overweight or obese. Some are based on the relation between height and weight; others are based on measurements of body fat. The most commonly used method today is body mass index (BMI).

BMI or body mass index is found by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. The mathematical formula is: weight (kg) / height squared (m²). To determine BMI using pounds and inches, multiply your weight in pounds by 704.5,* then divide the result by your height in inches, and divide that result by your height in inches a second time. (Or you can use the BMI calculator for children / BMI calculator for teens)

Weight Loss Camps
Wellspring Camps are the first comprehensive summer weight loss treatment programs for overweight children and young adults.

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Psychological Impact of Overweight
For many overweight children and teens, their physical health and well-being is the least of their problems. Much more relevant is the teasing, taunting and poor treatment they receive from other children at school and in the community.