A new study by the National Center for Health Statistics finds that the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are considered merely overweight for the first time. The study shows that more than 34% of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7% who are overweight, with just under 6% classified as “extremely” obese.
The NCHS study found that more than one-third of adults, or over 72 million people were obese when the study was conducted in 2005-2006, the most current figures released.
Scientists and doctors calculate obesity and overweight using a formula called body mass index. Someone with a BMI of 25 to 29 is classified as overweight, 30 to 40 counts as obese and people with BMIs of 40 or more are morbidly obese.
