Obesity is the second leading cause of unnecessary deaths.

• Despite its toll taken in death and disability, obesity does not receive the attention it deserves from government, the health care profession or the insurance industry.
  
• Research is severely limited by a shortage of funds.
  
• Inadequate insurance coverage limits access to treatment.
  
• Discrimination and mistreatment of persons with obesity is widespread and often considered socially acceptable.

Did You Know?

• Obesity is a chronic disease with a strong familial component.
  
• Obesity increases one's risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes (type 2), heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease and cancer of the breast, prostate and colon.
  
• Health insurance providers rarely pay for treatment of obesity despite its serious effects on health.
  
• The tendency toward obesity is fostered by our environment: lack of physical activity combined with high-calorie, low-cost foods.
  
• If maintained, even weight losses as small as 10 percent of body weight can improve one's health.
  
• The National Institutes of Health annually spends less than 1.0 percent of its budget on obesity research.
  
• Persons with obesity are victims of employment and other discrimination, and are penalized for their condition despite many federal and state laws and policies.

Obesity Related Medical Conditions