Numbers of America's Severely Obese Are Growing Faster Than Moderately Obese

Wednesday, October 15th 2003

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Severely obese Americans are the fastest growing segment of the nation's overweight population, rising twice as quickly as those who are moderately obese, according to study findings reported Monday.

A report in October 13 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine casts light on the largest of the large, a group long overlooked by most studies and underrepresented in national statistics describing the nation's obesity epidemic.

The severely obese - people at least 100 pounds overweight - are known to consume more healthcare services and have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions. As that segment of the population expands, health plans and employers are likely to face significantly higher costs than anticipated, according to Rand Health economist Dr. Roland Sturm, the study's author.

"I'd be scared," Dr. Sturm told Reuters Health. "They really have a problem on their hands that is much worse than expected."

The study is based on data from a telephone survey of 1.5 million adults conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between 1986 and 2000, the prevalence of severe obesity - people having a having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater - quadrupled from about 1 in 200 adult Americans to 1 in 50 adults, the study found.

During the same period, the moderately obese roughly doubled, from 1 in 10 to 1 in 5.

The largest growth was among people with a BMI over 50. That group grew from 1 in 2000 to 1 in 400 Americans over the 14-year study period. A typical man in that group weighs 373 pounds and stands 5 feet 10 inches tall.

Morgan Downey, executive director of the American Obesity Association, said "there's a real issue of whether the healthcare system can absorb it."

Source: The Archives of Internal Medicine 2003;163:2146-2148.

Footnote from Ideal Health

The following supplements are all useful for weight loss. Use the links for more information.

TummyTone - CLA
Svetol 2800
Thermo Slim
Activator FX
Hoodia PowerSlim
Fat Blocker
L-Carnitine Plus
IsoWhey Complete - Vanilla

Related health information can be found here:

Obesity
Diabete
High Blood Pressure
Weight Loss

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

 

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