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About Obesity

Obesity is a problem of growing concern for the health and wellbeing of many people. Overeating busy schedules and lack of physical activity are causing unhealthy weight gain among adults and children. Obesity is a risk factor that contributes to the development of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Weight management is a step towards health.

  1. The Facts

    • Obesity occurs when a person carries too much weight and body fat. It is determined based on weight for height. The body mass index (BMI) is the most used tool when it comes to classifying obesity. BMI is calculated through a mathematical equation which is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in meters, squared. BMI = [(weight in kg) / (height in meters)2]. A person with a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.

    Risk Factors

    • Carrying excess weight can lead to a variety of health conditions and complications. Obesity is linked to high cholesterol and blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, gallbladder disease, stroke and depression. In addition, it can affect fertility, cause stress to the joints and affect sleep quality. Daily activities become more difficult and painful when a person is obese. In extreme cases of obesity, those affected are unable to move at all and become bedridden.

    Significance

    • The Weight-Control Information Network estimates that about 31% of U.S. adults are obese. Excessive weight gain is also on the rise in other countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three U.S. children are overweight. This leads to a greater chance of obesity in adulthood and the presence of adult onset diabetes and other related diseases at very young ages.

    Evolution

    • During the last 20 years there has been an undeniable increase in the rates of obesity. When looking at just the last 10 years, according the CDC, in 1998 there were no states in the U.S. that had a rate of obesity reaching 25% or higher. In 2007, unfortunately there were 30 states which fell into this category. Even more alarming is evidence that three states have rates at or above 30%.

    Expert Insight

    • The problem of obesity is complex. It involves behavioral problems such as excess overeating, eating unhealthy foods and a lack of physical activity. The environment plays a role through convenience driven lifestyles, busy schedules, large portion sizes when eating out and communities that are not conducive to walking and recreational activities. In addition, emotion and personalities must be considered as well as health conditions that may make weight loss more difficult. It is a multifaceted problem that will take the commitment of individuals, health professionals and communities to solve.

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