WASHINGTON--As life expectancy continues to rise in the United States, driving growth for HME, so does the number of Americans who are overweight or obese, according to a recent study.

The study, released this month by the National Center for Health Statistics, found that life expectancy has risen to 77.6 years for those born in 2003, compared to 77.3 years the year before. In 1990, life expectancy was 75.4 years.

But although Americans' overall health has improved, an increase in the overweight and obese is a growing concern as these conditions are risk factors in heart disease, hypertension and back pain.

Forty percent of adults ages 55 to 64 are obese, the report found, up from 31 percent in the 2003 report. The study featured a special section on this demographic, noting it is "projected to be the fastest-growing segment of the adult population over the next decade" with an increase from 29 million in 2004 to 40 million by 2014.

More than half of those in this same age group have high blood pressure as well, up from previous years. Deaths resulting from heart disease, cancer and stroke, however, decreased in 2003.

Substantial allocations to public health programs, research, health care and health education have contributed to the improvement of the overall health of the nation, the report said. Also, public health education campaigns have contributed to a decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease.

To view the report, click here.