Obesity is a rising problem in the United States. It has serious medical implications and can lead to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Obesity affects men and women of all ages in all geographic locations and socioeconomic and ethnic groups. There may be a genetic factor behind obesity. This is still under investigation and does not explain all cases of obesity. A greater proportion of obese people are found among non-white, less educated adults. However, these are not the only groups that need to watch out for obesity.