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OUR NATIONAL OBESITY CRISIS             butterfly-2

 

 

WHO IS OBESE?

 

Our nation is currently in a true obesity epidemic. About two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight, and almost one-third are obese.  (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004).  This means that less than one-third of US adults are at a healthy weight. From 1960 to 2004 the prevalence of overweight increased from 44.8% to 66% in US adults ranging 20-74 years of age.  The prevalence of obesity in the same period of time more than doubled from 13.3% to 32.1% with the largest increase since 1980.  Children are slightly better, but catching up.  Approximately 17.5% of children (age 6-11) and 17% of adolescents (age 12-19) were overweight in 2001-2004.

 

WHAT IS THE COST FOR OBESITY?

 

This is a major health concern as overweight and obesity are known risk factors for diabetes (type II), coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, hypertension, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and some forms of cancer (breast, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney)  Most studies show and increase in mortality rates of 10-50% in obese individuals compared with those of healthy weights.  These conditions are financially stressing our health care system and we are all paying for it.  Overweight refers to an excess body weight compared to set standards.  One study estimated that the annual medical spending due to overweight and obesity was as much as 92.6 billion in 2002 – this was about 9.1% of US health expenditures.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE FOR OBESITY?

 

While there may be some genetic factors involved, personal behavior and dietary habits are probably the most important factors.  The physiologic causes of obesity include body metabolism, hormones, and the neurological components of appetite regulation  Environmental causes include body metabolism, hormones, and the neurological components of appetite regulation.  That is why a comprehensive approach to weight loss is imperative.  Education and lifestyle changes are the key to healthy and permanent weight loss.
References:

NIH statistics on obesity

Wolf AM, The economic impact of Overweight, Obesity and Weight Loss.  In: Eckel R, ed. Obesity Mechanisms and Clinical Management.  Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2002

Flegel KM, Carroll MD Overweight and obesity in the United States: Prevalence and trends.  1960-1994.   International Journal of Obesity 1998.  22:39-47

LoCicero, K MD, A Personal Approach to Weight Regulation:  Are Hormones Key?  The Bariatrician, Spring 2008.

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