Losing weight isn’t easy—and doing it in a healthy, sustainable way can make the task feel even harder.
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Fast Facts
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2010
- More than 2 in 3 adults are considered to be overweight or obese.
- More than 1 in 3 adults are considered to be obese.
- More than 1 in 20 adults are considered to have extreme obesity.
- About one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese.
- More than 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be obese.
Using Body Mass Index (BMI) to Estimate Overweight and Obesity
The BMI is the tool most commonly used to estimate overweight and obesity in children and adults.
| BMI of Adults Age 20 and Older | |
|---|---|
| BMI | Classifcation |
| 18.5 to 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25 to 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30 + | Obesity |
| 40 + | Extreme obesity |
For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are measured by using weight and height to compute the person’s BMI. The BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with the amount of fat in their bodies. An online tool for gauging the BMIs of adults can be found at:http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_BMI/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.htmlExternal Link Disclaimer
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