According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. An adult who has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is considered obese. Among children of the same age and sex, overweight is defined on CDC growth charts as a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile. Obesity is defined as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile. BMI is based on an individual’s weight and height. Obesity is serious because it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Obesity is associated with the leading causes of death, including deaths from diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
