The obesity problem in America is putting nursing homes under increased pressure and strain as many obese adults are forced to enter these homes at an earlier age due to their obesity related mobilty problems. The extra weight on the frame of an obese person means that walking and simple tasks become very tiring and a big burden is placed on hip and knee joints causing injury and therefore further immobility. Obese people also suffer from many other health complications all of which can make them lose their independence at an earlier age.

There are many Americans who claim that despite being overweight that they are fit and healthy and take regular exercise. These people tend to suffer fom greater injuries to their hip joints and knee joints due to the increased wear and tear and often end up immobile at an earlier age then obese but not exercising people. In America statistics vary but a rough estimate says that over 30% of Americans suffer from obesity meaning they have a BMI of more than thirty and the number of obese people who are immobile due their obesity is rising along with the obesity statistics.

The obesity problem also means that the old people in the homes are often alot heavier meaning that much more work is needed to get them out from bed and to care for them. The strain is being put onto the workers and the many of them are complaining about the increased workload. A whole new industry is being formed with specialised beds, bathrooms, wheelchairs and other tools that are needed by nursing homes to handle these very overweight people.