Obesity is a chronic medical disease with serious health implications. Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. One in every three American adults is estimated to be obese. According to the American Obesity Association, obesity affects approximately 60 million people nationwide, a staggering increase of 75% over the last 20 years. And, that number is constantly on the rise.

Currently, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, second only to smoking cigarettes. Every day, more than 1,000 people in the country will die from obesity and its related health conditions.

Statistics indicate that within three to four years, obesity likely will surpass smoking as the number one cause of preventable death.

The costs associated with obesity are extremely high. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the total costs, both direct and indirect, attributed to people being overweight or obese add up to about $117 billion each year.

Obesity is caused by a complex set of factors which include genetics, environmental factors and behavioral components, which together cause an excess of body weight due to taking in more daily energy that the body expends. Obesity develops when energy intake consistently exceeds energy output.

Is obesity the same as being overweight?

To most people, the term "obesity" means to be very overweight. According to the National Institute of Health, "overweight" is defined as an excess amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat and water. "Obesity" specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat. Some people, such as bodybuilders or other athletes with a lot of muscle, can be overweight without being obese.

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