The Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University examined the scope of the obesity health issue, including who is most affected and how much it is costing us as a nation.
Obesity rates in the United States have tripled since the 1960s and doubled since the 1980s. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, a national epidemic that contributes to chronic disease, disability, and death, and places a large financial strain on the healthcare system.
Each year, obesity is associated with >100,000 premature deaths. 75% of hypertension cases are related to obesity. Severe obesity may shorten life expectancy up to 14 years!