How do they actually quantify these statistics? Do they call the house and ask you your weight and height?
Is this a percentage of people who actually go to the doctor? What about all the skinny folks who never get sick?
I will say this:
When I went to San Francisco for a week last summer, it was noticeable how thin the people were out there. Joggers, bikers, and walkers (not baby walkers) were everywhere. Fast food chain restaurants were sparse.
Getting on the plane in Phoenix that was heading to B'ham, it was more noticeable the amount of obese people. Not only was half of the plane obese, but there was also a fat black lady who had a crying/screaming two year old. Overweight two year old. She said to her toddler, "Shut yo fuckin' mouth before I pop you in it. Shit."
The B'ham airport was littered with morbidly obese people. And if you look around the city of B'ham, you'll see even more obese people.
And yes, I think obesity can be judged by an eye test. If you have a bay window hanging over where your groin should be, you might need to refrain from eating for a few days.