Study Finds Number Of Obese Americans Surpass Number Of Merely Overweight

January 12, 2009 4:58 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A new government-funded study finds some grim news on the obesity front. According to the findings, the number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are considered merely overweight for the first time.

The study by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight, with just under 6 percent classified as "extremely" obese.

The NCHS study found that more than one-third of adults, or over 72 million people were obese when the study was conducted in 2005-2006, the most current figures released.

Scientists and doctors calculate obesity and overweight using a formula called body mass index. Someone with a BMI of 25 to 29 is classified as overweight, 30 to 40 counts as obese and people with BMIs of 40 or more are morbidly obese.

For example, a person 5 feet 5 inches tall becomes overweight at 150 pounds (68 kg) and obese at 180 pounds (82 kg). You can use the U.S. National Institutes of Health's BMI calculator online at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.