Fight For It

Know
the Facts.

Becoming healthier is not always simple. Obesity, nutrition, added sugar, physical activity and sleep affect millions of people. Understanding the facts is a place to start.

Obesity Why It Happens Sugar Eating Well Sleep
Know Your Number

Check Your BMI.

FT
IN
LBS
Your BMI 27.3 Overweight

Healthy Weight BMI: 18.5–24.9

BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis. It does not provide a complete picture of individual health. Adult categories shown are based on CDC guidance.

40.3% U.S. Adult Obesity

Percentage of U.S. adults age 20 and older with obesity during August 2021–August 2023.

72.4% Overweight, Including Obesity

Percentage of U.S. adults age 20 and older classified as overweight, including obesity, during August 2021–August 2023.

42g Sugar in One Soda

A regular 12-ounce soda can contain about 42 grams of added sugar — more than 10 teaspoons.

7+ Hours of Sleep

Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night for optimal health.

01 / Obesity in America

Obesity affects millions.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease. National health data show that roughly two out of every five U.S. adults are living with obesity.

40.3%

Adults With Obesity

CDC's National Center for Health Statistics reported that 40.3% of U.S. adults age 20 and older had obesity during August 2021–August 2023.

9.4%

Severe Obesity

During the same nationally measured period, 9.4% of U.S. adults had severe obesity.

46.4%

Ages 40–59

Obesity prevalence was 46.4% among adults ages 40–59, compared with 35.5% among ages 20–39 and 38.9% among adults age 60 and older.

02 / Why It Happens

It isn't just willpower.

Body weight can be affected by many interacting factors. CDC identifies health behaviors, genetics, health conditions, medications, stress and environmental influences among the factors that can increase obesity risk.

Nutrition

Diets high in highly processed foods, added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages, and low in fiber, fruits and vegetables, can contribute to excess weight gain.

Physical Activity

Low levels of physical activity can contribute to excess weight gain and increase the risk of several chronic diseases.

Sleep

Not getting enough sleep, or getting poor-quality sleep, is identified by CDC as a risk factor for excess weight gain.

Stress

Chronic stress can influence health behaviors, sleep, appetite and other processes involved in managing weight.

Genetics & Biology

Genetic and biological differences can affect appetite, metabolism, fat storage and susceptibility to weight gain.

Environment

Access to affordable nutritious food, opportunities for physical activity, work environments and other social conditions can influence health.

The important point

Obesity is not explained by one behavior or one decision. It is a complex chronic disease influenced by multiple biological, behavioral, social and environmental factors.

03 / Added Sugar

Sugar adds up fast.

Naturally occurring sugars in whole fruit and plain dairy are different from sugars added during processing or preparation. Added sugars can contribute significant calories without providing the same nutritional value as nutrient-dense foods.

42g In a 12-ounce soda CDC notes that a regular 12-ounce soda can contain about 42 grams — more than 10 teaspoons — of added sugar.

Added Sugar vs. Natural Sugar

Added sugars are sugars and syrups placed into foods or beverages during processing or preparation. Whole fruit naturally contains sugar along with fiber and nutrients.

Current CDC Guidance

CDC states that adolescents and adults should limit added sugars and uses 10 grams or less per meal as a practical benchmark.

A Common Source

Sugar-sweetened beverages are a major source of added sugars. Frequently drinking them is associated with negative health consequences.

Too Much Added Sugar

CDC states that excess added sugar intake can contribute to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

04 / Eating Well

Food is part of the fight.

A healthy eating pattern emphasizes nutritious foods and helps support long-term health. CDC reports that adults with healthy eating patterns live longer and have lower risk of serious health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

01

Nutrient-Dense Foods

Build meals around foods that provide vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and other nutrients your body needs.

02

Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables provide nutrients and fiber and are an important part of healthy eating patterns.

03

Less Added Sugar

Reducing foods and drinks high in added sugars can help improve overall diet quality and reduce excess calorie intake.

04

Long-Term Health

Healthy eating patterns are associated with lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

05 / Sleep

Recovery is part of performance.

Sleep is not wasted time. Your body and brain depend on adequate sleep for recovery, metabolism, attention, mood and overall health.

7+ Hours for most adults

Getting enough sleep can help:

  • Support a healthy weight.
  • Improve attention and memory.
  • Reduce stress and improve mood.
  • Support heart health and metabolism.
  • Lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
  • Lower risk of high blood pressure.
  • Help you get sick less often.
  • Improve daily performance.
Thinking Epic

The facts tell us there is a problem. They don't determine what happens next.

You cannot change everything today. But you can make the next decision.
Better choices, repeated over time, can help move you forward.

What Thinking Epic Can Do

Turn what you know into what you do.

The facts matter. But information alone does not create change. Thinking Epic is about helping you build healthier actions, stronger habits and a mindset that keeps you moving forward.

01

Move More

Walk. Run. Train. Play tennis. Jump rope. Build strength. Find movement you can keep doing.

02

Eat Smarter

Become more aware of what you eat, added sugar, hydration, nutritious foods and the choices that fuel your body.

03

Build Strength

Improve strength, endurance, mobility and physical resilience through consistent effort.

04

Recover Better

Make sleep, rest, stretching and recovery part of becoming healthier and performing better.

05

Strengthen Your Mindset

Build discipline. Create better habits. Set goals. Keep moving when motivation is not there.

06

Keep Going

Real change rarely comes from one workout or one perfect day. It comes from better decisions repeated over time.

Shape Your Mind. Shape Your Body.

You choose where to begin.

Running. Tennis. Training. Mindset. Start with the arena that speaks to you and build from there.

Choose Your Arena →

Sources

Health statistics and statements on this page are based primarily on information published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics. Use the links below to review the original material.

CDC / NCHS Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults
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CDC / NCHS Obesity and Overweight — FastStats
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CDC Risk Factors for Obesity
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CDC Obesity Strategies: What Can Be Done
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CDC Nutrition Get the Facts: Added Sugars
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CDC Rethink Your Drink
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CDC Nutrition About Nutrition and Healthy Eating
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CDC About Sleep
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CDC Adult BMI Categories
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This page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individual health needs vary.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding personal health concerns, weight management, nutrition, sleep or changes to your exercise routine.