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Summary: The Epidemic Of Obesity

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A survey conducted by the CDC, that was composed of 1.5 million people, showed that there was a 50% increase of Americans who were 100+ lbs more overweight from the year 2000 to 2005. With obesity now being considered an “epidemic” in the U.S, the chances of increasing the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis are through the roof. Because obesity is becoming an “epidemic,” it can also be found in all age groups, race, and education levels (Budrys, 2010, pp 93). Using the Body Mass Index (BMI), that measures body fat based on weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meter squared) and is given in a percentage, is a way of calculating if the body fat is in an underweight (<18.5), healthy weight (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), obese I (mildly: 30-34.9), obese II (moderately: 35-39.9), obese III (morbidly: ≥40). The BMI signifies where our weight is compared to the ‘ideal’ weight based on our height.

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