Obesity in the United States continues to grow alarmingly. In the United States, approximately 66% of adults and 33% of children and adolescents are overweight. Obesity is the result of fat accumulation over time due to lack of balanced diet and exercise. An adult with a BMI (body mass index) greater than thirty percent is considered obese (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011, p. 271). Causes of Obesity According to the USDA, in the early 21st century, Americans increased their daily calorie intake. by consuming five hundred more calories than in 1970. As cited by Whitney and Rolfes (2011), there are many recognized causes of obesity such as genetics, environment, culture, socioeconomic status and metabolism, among others; but the most obvious cause is that food consumption is greater than calories burned during physical activity. Excess energy from food is stored in the body as fat, causing weight gain. Over the past 40 years, obesity has increased dramatically in the United States and rates remain rising (pages 272-273). Genetics plays a major role in obesity; Inherited genes sometimes contribute to fat accumulation in the body. More than 200 genes affect weight, impacting physical activity, food choices and metabolism. Therefore, genes can increase a person's vulnerability to becoming obese. Family eating habits and social trends can also trigger obesity. Additionally, environmental circumstances such as the availability of high-calorie and high-fat foods and increased portions and combinations in meals contribute to the development of fat accumulated over years in the body (Whitney & Rolfes, 2011 , p. 277). has social power that influences people to o...... middle of paper ......htmFinkelstein & Zuckerman (2008). The fattening of America. How the economy is making us fat, whether it matters, and what to do about it. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Meryl Loonin (2007). America is overweight. Farmington Hills, MI: Lucent Books, an imprint of Thomson Gale, part of The Thomson Corporation. The Endocrine Society and The Hormone Foundation (2012). Obesity in America. Matrix Group International, Inc. Chevy Chase, MD. Retrieved from http://www.obesityinamerica.org/index.cfmUnited States Department of Agriculture. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/United States Department of Agriculture. Washington, DC. Profiling Food Consumption in America, Chapter 2. Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/factbook/chapter2.pdfWhitney & Rolfes (2011). Understanding nutrition. 12th ed. Wadsworth Publishing Company.