About Obesity

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 Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. It has now become one of the greatest medical challenges of our generation. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), more than 30% of the U.S. adult population is clinically obese and more than two thirds of the population faces weight issues.   The prevalence of obesity was 39.8% and affected about 93.3 million of US adults in 2015~2016 and is currently increasing.  

   The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was over $147 billion in 2008. Studies show the average extra cost to an overweight or obese person can be between $2,500 and $4,800 a year depending on their gender, according to a George Washington University study. 

  Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer that are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.  

If left untreated, these health problems can lead to serious medical conditions: cardiac, respiratory or kidney disease, and even cancer. 

 Beyond physical health issues, being overweight can cause significant psychological challenges, too, like shame, guilt and depression. We find that often, many overweight or obese people engage in less social activity and some have difficulty performing what they used to consider enjoyable activities.