Health

Obesity: Weighing in the Facts of An American Crisis - Part 1

Written by Emily Ferreira on April 15, 2008 2:47 pm EST

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While obesity may be a touchy subject for those that live with it, I think that this potentially deadly health problem needs to be readdressed by health professionals as well as the Board of Education, the FTC and the US Department of Health. According to the OECD Factbook 2007 - Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics report, the United States has the highest percentage of obesity in the world with more than 32% of the population aged 15+ being classified as obese. Just for clarification sake, obesity is typically measured by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual. The formula used to calculate BMI goes like this:

BMI = (Weight(lbs) x 703) / Height (inches)

According, to the BMI Scale:

< 18.5 is underweight
18.5-24.9 is normal weight
25.0-29.9 is overweight
30.0-34.9 is obese I (low risk)
39.9 is obese II (high risk)
40.0 < is severely obese

The following chart can help you figure out whether or not your weight is healthy in relation to your height:

Image credit: dnordon

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) compiled the following graph showing how the US ranks compared to other countries in the world and provides evidence that the obesity condition in US is progressively getting worse. This really makes me wonder what can be done to put an end to this problem…or at least to minimize the problem!

Sorry the above image is a bit blurry but you may visit the OECD website for better precision.

The exact cause of obesity was widely debated in the past and it was once believed that obesity was simply caused by consuming an excessive amount of calories without partaking in proper activity to burn off the extra calories. However, health professionals have finally come to terms with the fact that obesity is caused by several factors including genetics and the environment as well as social, behavioral, mental, and psychological factors. While a large percentage of obese individuals engage in overeating, obesity can also be influenced by a slow metabolism, hormonal disorders, depression, societal expectations, and the list goes on.

Not everyone is fully aware of just how dangerous the potential consequences of obesity are. There is an extensive list of complications and risk factors associated with obesity and some of the most common are:

Stroke
Diabetes
Hypertension
Cardiovascular disease
Gout
Sleep apnea
Pregnancy complications
Fatty liver disease
Mental and psychological disorders
Skin disease

So the real question is: What can be done to minimize obesity?

To be continued in my next post… I am in the midst of compiling a list of practical steps that need to be taken to facilitate the fight against obesity…feel free to offer input too!