Thursday, August 7, 2008

Obesity Statistics

The most recent research statistics on growing obesity disclose a dangerously overweight world population. During the last 10 years, there was a dramatic increase in obesity in the world, especially in the United States, England, and Canada. Over the years, the occurrence of obesity has also steadily increased among all genders, ages, all education levels, and ethnic groups.

Obesity is a severe health condition where a person accumulates an abnormally high proportion of body fat. This condition can increase risk of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. The body mass index (BMI) is the common method used to determine obesity and is based on the relation between height and weight.

Obesity research shows that the condition of obese increase with age. Around 28% of men and 27% of women aged 16-24 are obese in the world. But, about 76% of men and 68% of women between 55 and 64 of ages are obese.

According to the American National Center for Health statistics, between 1962 and 2000, the number of obese people in the US raised from 13% to an alarming 31%. Today, about 63% of Americans are overweight (men and women are about equally represented) with a BMI of 25 or more.

Around 31% of US people (supplementary to overweight) are obese with a BMI in excess of 30. Compared to the past two decades, the percentage of childhood obesity in the US has more than tripled. If this trend continues, it is predicted that at least 1/3rd of US adults will be obese by 2020. The US surgeon general report reveals that morbid obesity is liable for thousands of deaths every year.

In England, approximately 46% of men and 32% of women are overweight (a BMI of 25-30), and an extra 17% of men and 21% of women are obese. Since the mid-1980's, the number of adults who are obese has doubled. According to the 2002 statistics, about 13% of 8 year olds and 17% of 15 year olds in the UK were obese.

Obesity provides detailed information on Obesity, Obesity Help, Childhood Obesity, Morbid Obesity and more. Obesity is affiliated with Morbid Obesity Surgery.