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Obesity by the Numbers: Shocking New Stats
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Humans are more than 17 million tons overweight, according to a new study published in the journal BMC Public Health [International Science Times]. And picture this: The researchers say that the extra weight is the equivalent of having an extra 242 million people on the planet. Here are some more interesting numbers from the report and other sources.
Obesity Around the World
- #1 - The U.S. is the heaviest nation in the world (United Nations).
- 138 lbs - The average body weight worldwide (United Nations).
- 3% - South East Asia's obesity rate, the lowest worldwide (WHO).
- 2 times - Between 1980 and 2008, obesity rates doubled in every region of the world (WHO).
- 12 - Percent of the world's population that is considered obese (WHO).
Obesity in the U.S.
- 178 lbs - Average weight, 40 lbs higher than the worldwide average (United Nations).
- 35 - Percent of adults over the age of 20 who are obese.
- 20.6% - Percent of health expenses related to obesity (managing, health problems).
- 1/5 - Americans between the ages of 6 and 19 who are overweight (CDC).
- 42 - Percent of adults estimated to be obese by 2030 (Duke University).
- 11 - Percent of adults who will be at least 100 pounds overweight by 2030 (Duke University).
The Cost of Obesity
- $190 billion - Cost of obesity each year (Campaign to End Obesity).
- $2,700 - Extra costs for an obese person's health care, compared to non-obese people.
- 3.6% - Average per-person increase in obesity-related expenses per year (Congressional Budget Office).
- $575 - Increased cost of health care for obese employees compared to employees who smoke (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine).
- 15 - Percent of money overweight and obese workers earn less than normal weight workers (George Washington University).
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