Obesity
Reach and Maintain Your Healthy Bodyweight
Here are the facts:
- Over one third of U.S. adults (more than 72 million people) and 16% of U.S. children are obese.
- Nearly 300,000 deaths per year in the U.S. may be caused by obesity.
- Typically, becoming overweight or obese results from an energy imbalance, from eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise.
Check your BMI or body mass index. If you are overweight or obese, eat more fruits and vegetables, prepare your meals at home, and get more exercise!
Body Mass Index (BMI) Chart
| Height | Weight in Pounds | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5’ | 97-123 | 128-148 | 153-179 |
| 5’1” | 100-127 | 132-153 | 158-185 |
| 5’2” | 104-131 | 136-158 | 164-191 |
| 5’3” | 107-135 | 141-163 | 169-197 |
| 5’4” | 110-140 | 145-169 | 175-204 |
| 5’5” | 114-144 | 150-174 | 180-210 |
| 5’6” | 118-148 | 155-179 | 186-216 |
| 5’7” | 121-153 | 159-185 | 191-223 |
| 5’8” | 125-158 | 164-190 | 197-230 |
| 5’9” | 128-162 | 169-196 | 203-236 |
| 5’10” | 132-167 | 174-202 | 209-243 |
| 5’11” | 136-172 | 179-208 | 215-250 |
| 6’ | 140-177 | 184-213 | 221-258 |
| 6’1” | 144-182 | 189-219 | 227-265 |
| 6’2” | 148-186 | 194-225 | 233-272 |
| 6’3” | 152-192 | 200-232 | 240-279 |
| Healthy Weight | Overweight | Obese | |
Beware of hidden calories in prepared foods and beverages. For example, a blended coffee drink can be over 500 calories!
Focus on portion size in fast food and restaurant meals. The portions served are often enough for two or three people. Set aside half of your meal before you begin eating and take the remaining portion home.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Not only do they provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients, they make you feel fuller, longer.
Be active. Start with simple steps: take the stairs instead of the elevator and go for 30 minute walks three times a week.
Get More Information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/obesity.htm
Obesity rates among all groups in society — irrespective of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, or geographic region — have increased markedly. Obesity has physical, psychological, and social consequences in adults and children.
Contact the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (ceoinfo@upmc.edu) for updated information and evidence-based resources.