Obesity

Obesity is defined as having an excess amount of body fat. The human body is composed of water, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and various vitamins and minerals. If an individual has an excessive amount of fat, particularly in the waist area, they are at a higher risk for health issues such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity in the United States was 41.9% between 2017 and March 2020. From 1999 to March 2020, the prevalence of obesity in the United States increased from 30.5% to 41.9%, while severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. Obesity-related conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer, are leading causes of preventable premature death. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was nearly $173 billion in 2019. Medical expenses for adults who had obesity were $1,861 higher than medical costs for people with healthy weight.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). More than 80% of patients with CHD are overweight or obese. Obesity increases the risk of CHD by raising total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, increasing blood pressure, and potentially leading to diabetes. In some cases, diabetes can exacerbate these risk factors, putting individuals at an exceptionally high risk for heart attacks.

Obesity is primarily caused by an energy imbalance, where more calories are consumed than expended through physical activity and daily movement. Consuming too many calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol can lead to elevated blood cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Social determinants of health, genetics, and taking certain medications also play a role in obesity.

Waist circumference measurement and body mass index (BMI) are the recommended methods for estimating body fat. A high-risk waistline is defined as more than 35 inches for women and more than 40 inches for men.

The body mass index formula assesses body weight relative to height and is a useful, indirect measure of body composition because it correlates with body fat in most people. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and multiplying the result by 703. According to studies conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics:

• BMI values less than 18.5 are considered underweight
• BMI values between 18.5 and 24.9 are healthy
• Overweight is defined as a body mass index of 25.0 to 29.9 (Generally about 10% over an ideal body weight)
• Being obese is defined as a BMI of 30.0 or greater
• Extreme obesity is defined at a BMI of 40 or greater

Here are some suggestions:

• Incorporate physical activity into the family's daily routines and playtime. It is recommended that adults engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days of the week, while children should aim for at least 60 minutes.
• Supporting and encouraging daily, high-quality physical education in all school grades can help develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviors, and confidence needed to maintain an active lifestyle throughout life.
• Reduce time spent watching television and other sedentary behaviors, such as using computers or playing video games.
• Create additional opportunities for physical activity in the workplace and encourage employers to provide facilities and opportunities for all employees.
• Community facilities should be available and accessible to people of all ages, including the elderly, to promote physical activity.
• It is recommended to consume 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily and to make healthier food choices.
• Individuals should be encouraged to consume reasonable portions of food and avoid supersizing and value-added meal plans at fast food restaurants.
• Support efforts to encourage health insurers to cover the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity.

Schools should provide healthy foods and beverages on campuses and at school events.

This is best accomplished by:

• Enforcing existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations that prohibit serving foods of minimal nutritional value during mealtimes in school food service areas, including vending machines.
• Adopting policies specifying that all foods and beverages available at school contribute to eating patterns consistent with USDA’s dietary guidelines for Americans.
• Providing more food options low in fat, calories, and added sugars, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy foods.
• Reducing access to foods high in fat, calories, and added sugars (pre-packaged foods), and excessive portion sizes.