OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY THREATEN U.S. HEALTH

The Problem

Overweight and obesity are among the most pressing health challenges we face today.  Our modern environment has allowed these conditions to increase at alarming rates and become a growing health problem for our nation.

Approximately 300,000 U.S. deaths a year are currently associated with obesity and overweight. The total direct and indirect costs attributed to overweight and obesity amounted to $117 billion in the year 2000.

In 1999, an estimated 61% of U.S. adults were overweight, along with 13% of children and adolescents. Obesity among adults has doubled since 1980, while overweight among adolescents has tripled.

These trends are associated with dramatic increases in conditions such as asthma and Type 2 diabetes among children.  Failure to address overweight and obesity could wipe out some of the gains we've made in areas such as heart disease, several forms of cancer, and other chronic health problems.

One of the Key Solutions

As indicated by the “Surgeon General's Call to Action”, providing quality Physical Education at all school grades is of primary importance to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity.