Obesity is widely considered a major health epidemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has more than doubled worldwide since 1980 and now affects over 650 million people. Obesity increases the risk of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and respiratory disorders. Additionally, obesity can negatively impact a person’s mental health and quality of life. To address the obesity epidemic, a combination of individual lifestyle changes and public health measures, such as promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity, are needed.
According to the World Health Organization (2016 figures), there are around 2 billion overweight adults. They estimate that 39% of men and 40% of women aged 18 or over were overweight, and 13% of people were obese. An increase in obesity is a rising trend. Obesity has nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016.
If the current trends continue, by 2025, 2.7 billion adults will be overweight, of which 1 billion will be in the obese category. Of these, 177 million adults will be severely affected by obesity.
According to CDC data
- The US obesity prevalence was 42.4% in 2017 – 2018.
- From 1999 –2000 through 2017 –2018, US obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 42.4%. During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%.
US obesity prevalence is higher than the global average.
The problem of obesity is not just an adult problem but is prevalent among children too. WHO reported that in 2016, 41 million children under 5 years were overweight or obese. Obesity is rising in all age classes. These are alarming statistics.
Obesity is a complex disease. It appears as a polygenic condition. It is affected by environmental factors (mainly unbalanced dietary patterns and physical inactivity).
Some of the ways that obesity can affect individuals include:
- Physical health: Obesity increases the risk of many chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and respiratory disorders. These conditions can lead to decreased mobility, physical function, and quality of life.
- Mental health: Obesity can also have a negative impact on mental health. People with obesity are at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.
- Social and emotional well-being: Obesity can also impact social and emotional well-being, as people with obesity may experience stigma, discrimination, and negative body image.
- Economic costs: The cost of treating obesity and its related health conditions can significantly impact an individual’s financial well-being and that of the broader economy.
Overall, the obesity health epidemic can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals worldwide. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes individual lifestyle changes, public health measures, and policy changes to support healthy behaviors.
Although obesity is widely recognized as a major public health issue, it is not officially classified as a health epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) or other international health organizations. There are a few reasons why this may be the case:
- Definition of an epidemic: An health epidemic is typically defined as a sudden increase in the incidence of a disease in a specific population, often over a short time. While the prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly in recent decades, it has not occurred suddenly and dramatically, so it may not meet the strict definition of an epidemic.
- Social and cultural factors: Obesity is a complex issue influenced by various social and cultural factors, such as diet, physical activity levels, genetics, and urbanization. As a result, it may be more difficult to categorize it as an epidemic than a disease with a more straightforward cause-and-effect relationship.
- Stigma and political sensitivity: There is also a significant amount of stigma and political sensitivity associated with obesity, particularly around issues such as body size, weight, and diet. As a result, some organizations may be reluctant to officially classify obesity as an epidemic, as this could further exacerbate these social and political tensions.
Despite the lack of an official classification as a health epidemic, the impact of obesity on global health and well-being cannot be ignored.
Obesity also has a psychological impact. Obese people often suffer from low confidence, depression, and low self-esteem. Other conditions frequently encountered by obese people are breathlessness, increased sweating, snoring, tiredness, joint and back pain, and physical activity difficulty. Obesity is said to reduce life expectancy. The reduction will vary depending on the severity of the condition and its health impact.
Declaring obesity as a health epidemic in the US alone -will lead to more dollars for obesity research, building awareness, and finding solutions.
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