The Effects of High Calorie Foods and Sugary Drinks

The number of Americans who are obese has increased by nearly two percent in two years, according to a recent study in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. According to the study, an estimated 25.6% of US adults reported being obese in 2007, compared to 23.9% in 2005 which is an increase of 1.7%. The highest prevalence of obesity is in men and women aged 50-59 years.

Experts say that Americans should make more effort to control obesity by cutting down on high calorie foods and sugary drinks. Dr William Dietz, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity recommends people should eat more fruits and vegetables, engage in more physical activity and reduce the consumption of high calorie foods and sugar sweetened beverages to maintain a healthy weight.

Obesity is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

The obesity data was derived from a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of more than 350,000 adults. BMI was calculated based on this self-reported information.

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