Obesity is a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2.

Currently in the U.S. 42.4% of US adults, or more than 107 million people are obese with

9% of US adults being severely obese with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m.

These rates have increased dramatically since 2000, when 30.5% of Americans were obese and 4.7% were severely obese.

Rates continue to increase and its estimated that by 2030, 51% of US adults will be obese. Women are also more likely to be severely obese then men.

The obesity rate in non-Hispanic Blacks is 49.6%, in Hispanics 45%, non-Hispanic White people 42%, and non-Hispanic Asian people 17.4%.

Severe obesity affects 14% of Blacks, 9% of non-Hispanic Whites, 8% of Hispanics, and 2% of non-Hispanic Asians.