Health Check Up- 6 Facts On Obesity

Sixty-five percent of American adults are overweight or obese. That's according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

The important health issue is now an epidemic. Obesity has jumped from 15 percent in 1970 to 32.5 percent in 2004. Obesity is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and harmful cholesterol.

6 Facts on Obesity

* Obesity can raise some cancer risks- Researchers with the National Cancer Institute linked breast, colon, kidney, esophagus, and endometrium cancer to obesity.

* Obesity is tied to heart attacks in younger adults- In people ages 15 to 34 the death rate from heart attacks rose 32 percent among women and 10 percent among men in the 1990's.

* Obesity can ruin your day- Studies show tasks like carrying groceries and walking up stairs can be harder.

* Obesity speeds up a girl's puberty- Girls who weigh too much tend to develop breasts and public hair at age 8 or 9.

* Obesity is the cause of diabetes in kids- Doctors think a sharp rise in type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity.

* Obesity in middle age increases the risk of dementia- People who were obese in their 40's were 75 percent more likely to develop dementia.


Click on the video player to the left to watch Deena Centofanti's report on obesity.

Click here for a detailed look at the 6 facts of obesity .