Obesity Facts
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is a national society focused on improving public health and well-being by lessening the burden of obesity and related diseases throughout the world. The ASMBS has released some key facts about obesity.
Obesity in America
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease of obesity affects about 78 million Americans 1 and the ASMBS estimates about 24 million have severe or morbid obesity.
Categorized as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, obesity is linked to more than 40 diseases including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis and cancer. 2,3
Obesity is associated with a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death compared to healthy weight individuals. 4
- Median survival is reduced by two to four years for individuals with a BMI of 30 to 35.
- Median survival is reduced by eight to 10 years for individuals with a BMI of 40 to 45 (comparable to smoking).
Weight loss as modest as 5 to 15 percent of total body weight in a person who is overweight or has obesity reduces the risk factors for some diseases, particularly heart disease. 5
U.S. economic costs of the disease of obesity were $270 billion in 2011 and $72 billion for overweight individuals. 6
Obesity: BMI of 30 is a Turning Point for Increased Disease Risk
BMI is a strong predictor of overall mortality 16 and is associated with a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of premature death compared to healthy weight individuals.17
A BMI of 30 to 35 is associated with a reduction in median survival by two to four years.15
Being obese or overweight comes with an increased risk of developing more than 40 diseases and health conditions including:18,19
Type 2 diabetes
Certain types of cancer
Infertility
Sleep apnea
Gallstones
Liver disease and gallbladder disease
Orthopedic problems
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke
References
View the PDF for a full list of references.