Left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in America
What is a another word for surpass
http://www.synonym.com/synonyms/surpass/
overtake?
beat out is a good word for surpass right
"beat out" seems awfully slangy. Stick with "overtake" -- or simply "pass."
exceed or transcend are 2 synonyms
Sra