"The Obesity Epidemic in

America"
Definition, statistics and causes
Overweight in the
U.S.
▪ The United States is currently
the country with the most obese
people in the world, according
to data from the World Health
Organization (WHO). Before the
pandemic, the prevalence of
obesity in U.S. adults was
41.9%1. To better understand
this issue, let's explore a few key
aspects:
 1.Definition of
Obesity and
Overweight:
▪ A person is considered obese when
their Body Mass Index (BMI) is equal
to or greater than 30. On the other
hand, a person is considered
overweight when their BMI is between
25 and 29.9.
▪ Obesity significantly increases the risk
of various diseases, including
diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and
cancer1.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC.
 2.U.S. Obesity
Statistics:
▪ More than 1 million children and teens
in the U.S. also suffer from obesity1.
▪ The groups most affected by obesity
are non-Hispanic black adults (49.9%),
Hispanic adults (45.6%), and non-
Hispanic white adults (41.4%)1.
▪ In 2020, no state had an obesity rate
below 20%. In states such as Alabama,
Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee
and Virginia In the West, 35% or more
of adults are obese1
 3.Causes of
Obesity in the U.S.:
▪ Obesity is a multifactorial disease, and several
factors contribute to its development:
▪ Eating patterns: Dietary choices and excessive
calorie consumption can contribute to weight
gain.
▪ Malfunction of hormones that indicate hunger
and satiety: This can affect appetite regulation.
▪ Environmental genetics and epigenetics: Genetic
predisposition and habits passed down by
parents influence obesity.
▪ Factors Social and environmental: A sedentary
lifestyle, stress, lack of adequate sleep, and
access to high-calorie foods and beverages also
play a role1
 4.Solutions
▪ Food Assistance Programs: Low-income
families are supported to access
affordable, nutritious food through
programs such as the Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition
Program, Pandemic Electronic Benefit
Transfer, and educational agriculture
programs.
▪ Designing Active Communities:
Communities that connect sidewalks, bike
routes, and public transportation to homes,
schools, parks, and workplaces are
planned.
▪ Nutrition Standards in Early Education
Settings and Food Pantry Settings:
Nutrition Guidelines Promoted in Schools
and Food Aid Organizations

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

Thank you for your
attention

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.