Obesity continues to be a major public health problem. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that the number of obese adults in the United States has increased significantly over the past ten years. Six in ten adults aged 18 and over are either overweight or obese; one in four is obese.

Increasing obesity rates are prevalent throughout the country. In 1995, every state had an obesity rate of less than 20 percent. In 2005, 46 states had obesity rates higher than 20 percent, and three states had obesity rates above 30 percent.

"The rapid rise in obesity is a great concern. Overweight and obesity are contributing factors for many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes," said Cynthia Boddie-Willis, president of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. "Reducing obesity will require a concentrated effort by government, private business, the healthcare community and others to implement strategies that impact nutrition and physical activity as well as change the environments in which we live."

About NACDD

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors is a national public health association, founded in 1988 to link the chronic disease program directors of each state and U.S. territory to provide a national forum for chronic disease prevention and control efforts. NACDD provides state-based leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control at the state and national level. Further information about NACDD is available at http://www.ChronicDisease.org.

National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
http://www.ChronicDisease.org/