Obesity
Obesity is a major public health concern the globe. Obesity is majorly concerned with health behaviors and health outcomes, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Worldwide obesity and overweight have nearly tripled since 1975. In 2016, more than1.9 billion adults (18 plus) were overweight, of these over 650 million were obese similarly 41 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese.
According to WHO, Overweight and obesity can be defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index for weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kg divided by the square of his/her height in meters (kg/m2).
International Classification of adult underweight, overweight, and obesity according to BMI
| Classification | BMI(kg/m2) | |
| Principal cut-off points | Additional cut-off points | |
| Underweight | <18.50 | <18.50 |
| Severe thinness | <16.00 | <16.00 |
| Moderate thinness | 16.00 – 16.99 | 16.00 – 16.99 |
| Mild thinness | 17.00 – 18.49 | 17.00 – 18.49 |
| Normal range | 18.50 – 24.99 | 18.50 – 22.99 |
| 23.00 – 24.99 | ||
| Overweight | ≥25.00 | ≥25.00 |
| Pre-obese | 25.00 – 29.99 | 25.00 – 27.49 |
| 27.50 – 29.99 | ||
| Obese | ≥30.00 | ≥30.00 |
| Obese class I | 30.00 – 34.99 | 30.00 – 32.49 |
| 32.50 – 34.99 | ||
| Obese class II | 35.00 – 39.99 | 35.00 – 37.49 |
| 37.50 – 39.99 | ||
| Obese class III | ≥40.00 | ≥40.00 |
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Obesity threats public health more than communicable diseases in the present world. Overweight and obesity affect every age group around the world. Obese individuals are likely to have medical and health problems. There is debate over how an individual person becomes obese he/she eats more calories than he/she expends. Sedentary lifestyles, calorie-dense foods, large portion sizes, and excessive television viewing are among the identified contributors.
Risk Factors of obesity
- Genetics
- Family lifestyle
- Age
- Unhealthy diet
- Certain medications
- Social and economic issues
- Inactivity
Consequences of Obesity
Most of the people who are obese are at increased risk for many serious and health conditions. Some of the conditions are given below:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Sleep apnea and breathing problems
- Low quality of life
- Mental illness
References
1. Arroyo-Johnson C, Mincey KD. Obesity epidemiology trends by race/ethnicity, gender, and education: National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2012. Gastroenterology clinics of North America. 2016;45(4):571-579. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2016.07.012.
2. WHO
3. https://www.intechopen.com /books/adiposity-epidemiology-and- treatmentmodalities/obesity-as-a-growing-public-health-problem
4. Bassett MT, Perl S. Obesity: The Public Health Challenge of Our Time. American Journal of Public Health. 2004;94(9):1477