Obesity Statistics

There are a number of possible health problems that can occur because of obesity (see Obesity Problems). Some of the common problems seen in people who are overweight or obese include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Because of these health problems, people who are obese are at an increased risk for premature death.

 

Among people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 67 percent are overweight or obese and 46 percent are obese.

 

About 17 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, accounting for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases. An additional 20 million have impaired glucose tolerance, sometimes called pre-diabetes, which is a strong risk factor for developing diabetes later in life. An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the United States can be attributed to excess weight.

 

For children, being overweight also increases their health risks. Type 2 diabetes was once rare in American children. Now, the condition accounts for 8 to 45 percent of newly diagnosed diabetes cases in children and adolescents. Also, overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese as adults.

 

 

The age-adjusted prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) in overweight and obese U.S. adults is:

 

(Hypertension is defined as an average systolic blood pressure that is more than 140 mmHg and an average diastolic blood pressure that is more than 90 mmHg.)