Risk Factors
Where you live plays a role in your risk for obesity. Simply living in the United States makes a person more susceptible to obesity. The prevalence of obesity in America has risen dramatically over the past few years and continues to increase.
- According to a 2002 analysis of government data, 30.5% of American adults are obese (BMI over 30) -- up from about 23% in the early 1990s.
- The number of those who were overweight also increased during that time -- from about 56% to a current rate of 64.5%.
- At least 2% of the population is severely obese (more than 100 pounds overweight). This rate has quadrupled over the past 25 years.
- Obesity has increased in every state, in both men and women, across all age groups, and in every ethnic group, although some groups may face slightly higher risks than others.
Risk by Age. People of any age are at risk for obesity. More children and adolescents are overweight in America than ever before. Gaining some weight is inevitable with age and adding about 10 pounds to a normal base weight over time is not harmful. The current weight gain in American adults over 50, however, is significant. By age 55, the average American has added nearly 40 pounds of fat during the course of adulthood. This condition is made worse by the fact that muscle and bone mass decrease with age.
Risk by Gender. In men, BMI tends to increase until age 50 and then it levels off. In women, weight tends to increase until age 70 before it plateaus. A 2000 study has found that there are three high-risk periods for weight gain in women.
- The first is at the onset of menstruation, particularly if it is early. (Obesity in childhood may actually be a contributor to early puberty, which in turn increases the risk for more weight gain.)
- The second is after pregnancy, with higher risk for women who are already overweight.
- Finally, many women gain weight after menopause.
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