Obesity is a national health problem currently ranking as the second largest cause of preventable death in the US. 127 million adult Americans (64% of the population) are overweight (defined as BMI >25) with 60 million (33%) classified as obese (BMI >30). The dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity shows no sign of abating. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that by 2005, 40% of all Americans will be obese. American Obesity Association research shows that this epidemic touches all social and economic groups across the country.

Obese individuals incur up to $1,500 more in annual medical costs than healthy-weight individuals.* From 1989 to 1999, the proportion of obese adults in the U.S. increased from 23% to approximately 30%.** In 2001, total health care costs were $1.4 trillion. Total direct medical cost of obesity in 2000 was estimated at $61 billion.

If current conditions hold true, by the year 2011, the U.S. will be spending over $2.8 trillion on health care costs.*** The health risks of overweight and obesity include: cardio-vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and many cancers.****

Health Benefits of Weight Loss:
****Increases HDL
As little as a 5-10% weight loss can reduce risk for:
Type 2 diabetes
CVD
Some Cancers
Osteoarthritis
Other health benefits include a reduction in:
Blood Pressure
Triglycerides
LDL Blood
Glucose Levels

* American Journal of Health Promotion, Jan/Feb 2002.
** The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000.
*** U.S. Department of HHS, 2003 ìPower of Preventionî Report
**** National Institutes of Health. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. 1998.