Obesity is defined as being excessive fat accumulation that leads to a risk in your health. In terms of the body mass index (BMI), anyone with a score over 25 is considered to be overweight, and anything over 30 is classified as obese. Each year, more than four million people die each year due to being overweight or obese. Today, obesity rates continue to increase among both children and adults. Here are five obesity facts.
5 Obesity Facts
- In the United States, Obesity affects 1 in 6 children. (source) More than 12.7 million children in America are considered obese, which accounts for about 17% of all children. Not only that, but one in every eight preschoolers are obese. Luckily, these numbers have been falling in recent years.
- Since 1975, worldwide obesity has nearly tripled. (source) As of 2016, approximately 13% of the world’s population was considered to be obese. This was nearly triple that of the percentage of the population just over forty years earlier.
- Obesity has been tied to birth defects. (source) From 2001 through 2014, a study ran in Sweden, with a sample size of more than one million births. It was determined that the overall rate of birth defects was 3.5 percent, but that the risk of malformations was higher when the maternal weight increased.
- Jefferson County, Mississippi has the highest obesity prevalence in the United States. (source) Of the five counties across America with the highest obesity prevalence, four of them are located in Mississippi. The top spot is Jefferson County with an obesity prevalence of 49.9%, along with others including Humphreys County (49.2%), Holmes County (48.9%) and Wilkinson County (48.6%).
- World Obesity Day happens on March 4 to raise awareness, encourage advocacy and improve policies. (source) The day was created to help promote many things, and allows those who participate to share their own experiences. Encouraging advocacy is a big part of the event, as those involved are calling for change.
Obesity is a disease that affects many people across the world. If you have any facts about obesity to share, please drop them in the comments below.
