It may be clear from casual observation that obesity is increasing in America, but the full extent of the problem may not be as obvious. Up to 60% of adults are now considered overweight or obese, putting them at an increased risk of illness, disability, and even premature death. In fact, excessive weight was responsible for 16% of all deaths in America in the year 2000, and obesity is likely to overtake tobacco soon as our number one preventable cause of death .

Additional obesity information:

	Obesity is caused by an excess of fat beyond what the skeleton and other body systems can support without negative consequences. According to guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), exceeding one's ideal body weight by 20% or more is a health risk.
	Obesity is a chronic, debilitating, and potentially fatal condition that can be treated by a physician trained in bariatric medicine. The United States is currently suffering an obesity epidemic contributing to the premature death, sickness and suffering of millions of Americans.
	The Census Bureau has estimated that 58 million American adults (32 million women, 26 million men) are obese. This represents 33% of the adult population, meaning roughly one of every three people is obese today.
	The NIH estimates that 97 million U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. This equates to 55% of the population, up from 46% in the late 1970s.
	A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adult obesity increased from 12% in 1991 to nearly 18% % in 1998. This increase occurred in all states, affected both men and women, and held true for people of all ages, races, and educational levels.
	Another JAMA study found that nearly 29% of men and 44% of women are actively trying to lose weight, while 35% of both men and women are trying to keep from gaining more weight.
	The average weight of adults today is 8 pounds more than it was 15 years ago. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) , has risen a full kg/m 2 to 26.3.
	With traditional weight loss methods, most people regain up to 66% of the weight within the first year and have regained every last pound within five years.