Pub. date: 2004 | Online Pub. Date: September 15, 2007 | DOI:
10.4135/9781412952576 | Print ISBN: 9780761923602 | Online ISBN:
9781412952576| Publisher:SAGE Publications, Inc.About this
encyclopedia Obesity: Causes and Consequences Shirley S. Wang &
Kelly D. Brownell The prevalence of obesity has increased
dramatically in the past three decades and is a serious concern
in the United States. According to the National Center for
Health Statistics in 1999, 61% of American adults were
classified as overweight or obese. The prevalence is even higher
among African Americans and Hispanics; nearly two thirds of
African Americans are overweight or obese. In addition, the
number of overweight children has increased dramatically.
Between 1963 and 1980, childhood obesity increased by 98% among
6- to 11-year-olds. Prevalence in children is estimated to be
14% to 22% (Strauss, 2002). Excessive weight is associated with
a number of health problems and ultimately mortality. Being
overweight also brings with it a number of ps