The obesity epidemic.

• Position: GRAPH - Brief article

Obesity in the United States is often described as an epidemic. The most recent studies show that about 38 percent of American adults--nearly 80 million men and women--have Body Mass Indexes (BMIs) of 30 or higher, qualifying them as obese. As this graph shows, that rate has soared since the 1960s. Experts blame many factors for the increase, including sedentary lifestyles and eating way too much sugar. Like all epidemics, obesity is taking a toll. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity puts people at risk for more than 30 chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and liver disease.

ANALYZE THE GRAPHS

1. According to the graph, about__ percent of American adults were obese in 1962.

   a 10

   b 13

   c 17

   d 21

2. During the late 1970s, the adult obesity rate__.

   a dropped significantly

   b reached 20 percent for the first time

   c skyrocketed

   d mostly remained static

3. Between 2012 and 2014, the adult obesity rate rose by about__ percentage point(s).

   a 1

   b 3

   c 6

   d 9

4. In which of these years was the adult obesity rate about 23 percent?

   a 1974

   b 1980

   c 1994

   d 2000

5. Between 1974 and 2014, the obesity rate for children tripled. Over that same period, adult obesity__.

   a also tripled

   b had a much larger increase

   c had a slightly larger increase

   d had a smaller increase

   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

6. Should the government take steps--such as passing soda taxes or requiring restaurants to post calorie counts--to try to fight obesity? Or are measures like that beyond what government should involve itself in?

7. Do you think...