Obesity
Obesity is a pandemic.
Obesity rates are rising at alarming rates across the globe, and none more faster than those in America. Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease that is a widespread epidemic in America: nearly 2 out of 3 of Americans are overweight or obese. Even worse, it can cause physical, metabolic, and psychological issues, including conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer that are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was $147 billion in 2008 US dollars; the medical cost for people who have obesity was $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
- If these rising obesity rates in both adults and children across the USA are not addressed, this can cause many premature deaths in the near future.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a disease in which you have an excess of body fat, which can cause a variety of other health problems, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is most commonly determined by BMI, or Body Mass Index. It measures the amount of fat in your body using your height and weight. Any BMI over 30 is considered “obese”.
Causes
Rather than the assumed "Calorie-in and calorie-out" model, obesity is caused by a variety of factors.
Environment
Our society has evolved into a more comfortable and sedentary lifestyle, with less activity. The effects of the people around you are drastic in relationship to obesity.
Behavior
We are adopting unhealthy habits by consuming way over the recommended amount of calories, and not getting enough of the required nutrients.
Genetics
Certain people are more prone to getting obesity based on genes that can cause certain weight-gain related hormones and cells to trigger. However, a healthy lifestyle can reverse this.
Health Risks
Obesity puts you at risk of over 50 diseases and affects EVERY part of your body: Here are a few:
Obesity is PREVENTABLE.
Though obesity can cause so many dangerous health risks and is the leading cause of premature death, it is PREVENTABLE.