Weight Management

Can you name the future No. 1 health problem in the U.S.?

If you answered heart disease, cancer, or smoking, you're wrong.

Obesity is fast on its way to being named the number one health problem in the United States. And for most people, exercise and eating right are critical ingredients to maintaining a healthy weight.

Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or more, with 25-29 being overweight and under 18 being underweight. These standards only apply to healthy adults-there are different cut-offs for children and senior adults. Want to find out if you're at your ideal weight? Use this handy calculator that can tell you if you're in a healthy weight range, or where you should aim to be.

Because obesity can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, treating obesity places additional demand on the health care system. In fact, obesity cost the health care system $117 billion in 2000.

• Want nutritional information on your favorite meals - including fast food?
• Do you know how many calories your favorite activities help you burn?
• Confused about complex and simple carbohydrates?
• Want to find out your body fat percentage?
• Guidelines for preventing chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer include eating more fruits and vegetables.

¹North American Association for the Study of Obesity, NAASO Responds to Recent Harris Poll on Obesity, March 6, 2002.