There has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States during the past 20 years. The following maps illustrate how the percentage of adults in the US with a Body Mass Index or BMI* greater than or equal to 30 (medical definition of obesity) has grown in epidemic proportions from 1985 to 2007. The purpose of this website is to educate the reader about some potential causes and issues associated with the rise in obesity, including demographics, biology, lifestyle, food industry, advertising, government, education, economics, and policy concerns. 

US Federal Government Source: CDC.gov

* Note: According to the CDC, BMI is a measure of an adult's weight in relation to his or her height (specifically, BMI = kg/m^2). Normal BMI is classified as 18.5-25, overwight as 25-30, and obese as 30 and above.