Social burden of obesity on US adults.

Obesity has become a major public health problem in America. Nearly two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese. This problem is large enough to begin to rival health problems associated with cigarette smoking. Epidemiological evidence suggests that obesity is associated with heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases that can lead to morbidity and even premature death. This paper examines the magnitude of the problem and then suggests several solutions from societal and social work perspectives.