It's no news that in the past 20 years obesity has skyrocketed in this country. Now nearly one-third of all adult Americans, or about 62 million people, have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30, which is the clinical definition of obesity. That's the equivalent of a 5-5 woman weighing 180 pounds or a 5-11 man weighing 215 pounds. Companies of all kinds are adjusting their designs, measurements, marketing, menus and training in an effort to find ways to prevent, accommodate--even profit from--growing waistlines. In fact, as obesity has become an inescapable factor in U.S. culture, it has also become a major force in American business.
Washington Post November 16, 2003; Page F01