RT Journal
A1 Koplan JP, Dietz WH
T1 CAloric imbalance and public health policy
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1999
FD October 27
VO 282
IS 16
SP 1579
OP 1581
DO 10.1001/jama.282.16.1579
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.282.16.1579
AB 
Obesity is epidemic in the United States. More than 50% of US adults
are now overweight, based on a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2
or more.1 Furthermore, 22% of the US adult
population is obese, based on a BMI of 30 kg/m2
or more, equivalent to approximately 13.5 kg (30 lb) overweight. Three percent
of US adults have a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more,
which represents a weight excess of approximately 45 kg (100 lb). Blacks and
Hispanics are disproportionally affected. As the study by Mokdad and colleagues
in this issue of THE JOURNAL2 clearly demonstrates,
the increase in the prevalence of obesity has been rapid. No area of the country
has been spared.