A recent report issued by U.S. Surgeon General, David Satcher, said, "Obesity and overweight is reaching epidemic proportions in the nation and could soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking."

• Poll results show 80% of Americans over 25 years are overweight. That figure has risen from 58% in 1983 and 64% in 1990.
  

• Each year, obesity causes 300,000 preventable deaths in the U.S.A.
  

• Obesity costs the American Health Care System $100 billion per year.
  

• $2 billion per year are spent on weight loss programs.
  

• 14% of American children are overweight and are at risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other serious health problems.