Obesity rates have risen in recent decades.

In 2012, over 66% of the U.S. population had either overweight or obesity ( 1 ).

While macronutrients, food types, and other factors can play a role, an energy imbalance is often a major contributor ( 2 , 3 , 4 ).

If you eat more calories than you need for energy, weight gain can result.

Here are 7 graphs that show that calories matter.