Two-Thirds of Americans Either Overweight or Obese

A new study has revealed that more than two thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese.

Researchers observed that 67 percent of women and 75 percent of men aged 25 or older were found to be overweight or obese.

For the study, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine analysed health records from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between the years 2007 to 2012.

The scientists ended up collecting data from over 15,208 men and women in the US and suggested that the country has more people who are obese than those who are simply overweight.

They estimated that 30 percent of women (28.9 million), 40 percent of men (36.3 million) were overweight while 37 percent of women (35.8 million) and 35 percent of men (31.8 million) were obese.

"Population-based strategies helping to reduce modifiable risk factors such as physical environment interventions, enhancing primary care efforts to prevent and treat obesity and altering societal norms of behaviour are required," the authors said.

The results of findings can be seen in the health journal Jama Internal Medicina.