5 facts about obesity

Date Published: Apr 12 2010

It’s no secret that many Americans — more than 72 million — are obese and suffer from health complications because of it. Here are some staggering stats and facts about obesity in America.

32 – States in the U.S. have obesity rates of more than 25 percent.
1,440 – The number of minutes in a day. Set aside at least 30 of them each day for physical activity.
$117 billion – The estimated medical cost of obesity in the U.S.
5 to 10% – The amount of excess body weight you need to lose to decrease risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
3,500 – Number of calories you have to burn to lose one pound of fat.

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Comments

Permalink Submitted by Roberta on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

117 billion is what obesity is costing the United States. This isn't a typo. When you are obese, you are subject to disease and the costs soar.

Permalink Submitted by Mike on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Interesting!

Permalink Submitted by valerie on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

thank-you

Permalink Submitted by priscilla on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

then why don't insurance companies and communities here in our america cover gym memberships and proactive proagrams to change habits that are contributing to poot health. and why should people that do practice good healthy hapbits get punished with their premiums? and whay can't insurance companies use case managers as proactive disease preventors. etc etc need major changes to have major changes.

Permalink Submitted by Gwenn on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

I agree with Priscilla, it makes sense

Permalink Submitted by azulita on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

What in the world does "$117 billion – The estimated medical cost of obesity in the U.S.direct and indirect 250 minutes" mean? I think you've got a typo there.

Permalink Submitted by Gail Natzler on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Why not inform us of obesity facts not commonly known? For example, did you know that a virus, Adenovirus 36 causes people to have up to twice as many fat cells? Did you know that 30% of the obese are carriers of this virus, vs 5% who are not obese? Having low total cholesterol can be an indication of being a carrier of Adeno 36. However, like much in medicine, diagnosing it does not imply knowing a cure for the condition! And are you informed that fluoride slows thyroid production? Might that possibly have something to do with the increased incidence of obesity? These facts can be verified, yet we hear little about them.

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