ORLANDO, Fla. — Millions of Americans are obese, prompting many doctors to declare obesity an epidemic. Here are 9 facts about it.
1. Obesity is defined as a complex disorder involving excessive amounts of body fat. It is diagnosed when a person's body mass index is 30 or higher. Body mass index is calculated by dividing your weight by your height.
Scroll to use a tool to calculate your body mass index.
2. Obese people spend nearly $1,500 more a year on their health care than people who are not obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. In 2017, Florida's adult obesity rate was over 28%.
4. Doctors say eating a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity are key to preventing obesity.
5. An estimated 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, spending $33 billion annual on weight loss products.
6. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report determined the Mediterranean diet is the best diet overall. Despite efforts to lose many, most people regain the weight they lose on a diet.
7. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery reports 228,000 people had some form of bariatric surgery in 2017. That's up from the 158,000 patients in 2011.
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