They are overweight or obese. A person is considered obese if he or she weighs at least 20 percent more than the maximum healthy weight for his or her height. About 3 in 10 people in the US are obese and the condition is becoming increasingly common.
Obesity can cause many health problems due to the strain it puts on organs and joints.
Obesity increases the risk of some widespread and potentially fatal disorders such as hypothyroidism, coronary artery disease, stoke and high blood pressure, and it may also lead to psychological problems, including depression. Excessive weight has become an epidemic among adults in America. To calculate BMI, divide weight in pounds by height in inches squared. Multiply by 704.5. In British men, CHD incidence increases at BMI' s above 22.