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Obese Americans Now Outnumber Overweight

Over a third of adults classed as one step up the scale from overweight

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 10, 2009 4:20 AM CST

(Newser) – Americans who are merely overweight are now outnumbered by the obese, Reuters reports. New government statistics reveal that 34% of adults are obese and almost 6% extremely so, whereas 32.7% are classed as overweight. The proportion of Americans who are overweight has stayed much the same since 1980—but obesity, classified as a body mass index over 30, has more than doubled.

Health experts warn that rising obesity levels will raise the incidence of many serious health problems, including diabetes and heart disease.
Health experts warn that rising obesity levels will raise the incidence of many serious health problems, including diabetes and heart disease.   (Shutter Stock)
Obesity has more than doubled in the US over the last 30 years.
Obesity has more than doubled in the US over the last 30 years.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
An overweight man walks in Washington.
An overweight man walks in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, FILE)
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Although the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1980, the prevalence of overweight has remained stable over the same time period. - Report from the National Center for Health Statistics

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PosterNutbag
Jan 10, 2009 5:27 AM CST
H.F.C.S.

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