The CDC Foundation says that obesity is an epidemic in the United States, with the warning that obesity is "the leading lifestyle-related cause of disease and death in the United States after smoking."
An obesity report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that adults age 40-59 have the highest percentage of obesity (31.6 percent), compared to adults age 60 and over (27 percent) and adults age 20-39 (24.9 percent). This information is part of an early report from the 2009 National Health Interview Survey.
Obesity is often measured by body mass index (BMI). People with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese.
The CDC obesity report says that there is no significant difference in obesity rates between men and women, and it affects all races and educational groups.
"Obesity is not a benign disorder," according to William Dietz, MD, director of CDC's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. "It's a major public health concern because it is associated with chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancer."
Obesity has a variety of causes, according to the CDC, which recommends adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and exercise.
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