Has the obesity epidemic peaked?

03/17/2005

It’s possible the obesity epidemic -- which is probably the most serious trend adversely affecting the future health and longevity of the population -- may have peaked in 2004, according to a February Harris Interactive Poll of 1,012 U.S. adults.

The bad news is those aged 25+ who are over their recommended weight for their height and body frame have increased from 58 to 77 percent, and those who are obese (defined as weighing 20 percent or more than their recommended weight) have doubled from 15 to 30 percent.