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During the
past 20 years, there has been a dramatic
increase in obesity in the United States and
rates remain high. In 2010, no state had a
prevalence of obesity less than 20%.
Thirty-six states had a prevalence of 25% or
more; 12 of these states (Alabama, Arkansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi,
Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia) had a
prevalence of 30% or more.
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It's also
interesting to see how
people view themselves:
the
average man feels like he is
12 pounds heavier than he
thinks he should be
----
and
the average woman feels like
she is 19 pounds heavier
than she thinks she should
be. |
More facts from the CDC:
Obesity-related conditions
include heart disease,
stroke, type 2 diabetes and
certain types of cancer,
some of the leading causes
of death.
Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of
children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are
obese.
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In 2008, medical costs associated with
obesity were estimated at $147 billion; the
medical costs paid by third-party payors for
people who are obese were $1,429 higher than
those of normal weight.
Since 1980, obesity prevalence among
children and adolescents has almost tripled.
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