National survey data show that the prevalence of overweight and obese adults in the U.S. has increased steadily over the past three decades. If these trends continue, more than 86 percent of adults will be overweight or obese by 2030 with approximately 96 percent of non-Hispanic black women and 91 percent of Mexican-American men affected. This would result in 1 of every 6 health care dollars spent in total direct health care costs paying for overweight and obesity-related costs (Youfa Wang, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and associate professor with the Bloomberg School’s Center for Human Nutrition). 

Overweight is currently defined as an adult with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 and obese is defined as an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher. Diseases and disorders that are more common among overweight or obese people include hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

For more information about weight loss management, see the Healia Health Guide on Weight Management or join the Weight Management Community on Healia Communities.