Overweight and Obesity POV
Introduction
- 39.8% of U.S. adults aged 20 or greater are obese. Another 31.8% are overweight. (2015-2016)
- Since the early 1960s when 13.4% were obese, the prevalence among adults more than doubled.
- Overweight refers to an excess amount of body weight that may come from muscles, bone, fat, and water whereas obesity results from a significant excess amount of body fat.
- Obesity can lead to many health complications. People who are physically active and at a healthy weight live 5-7 years longer than those who are not active and are obese.
- The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't short-term dietary changes; it's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
- Treatment may include a mix of behavioral treatment, diet, exercise, and sometimes weight-loss drugs. In cases of extreme obesity, weight-loss surgery may be an option.
Fundamentals
Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference are two measures that can be used as screening tools to estimate weight status in relation to potential disease risk. The most common measurement of body fat is the BMI, a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. The categories are:
- BMI is less than 18.5: underweight
- BMI is 18.5 to – 24.9: normal or healthy weight
- BMI is 25.0 to – 29.9: overweight
- BMI is 30.0 or higher: obese
Obesity is frequently subdivided into categories:
- Class 1: BMI of 30 to < 35
- Class 2: BMI of 35 to < 40
- Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher - “extreme” or “severe” obesity.
To calculate BMI, see the Adult BMI Calculator or determine BMI by finding your height and weight in this BMI Index Chart (.https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.htm)
BMI does not measure body fat directly, but BMI correlates with more direct measures of body fat obtained from skinfold thickness measurements and other scientific methods.
Waist circumference can also estimate higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are:
- A man whose waist circumference is more than 40 inches
- A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is more than 35 inches
At an individual level, BMI and waist circumference can be used as screening tools but are not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments in order to evaluate an individual’s health status and risks.
Causes
- Studies have found several genes that may contribute to obesity by increasing hunger and food intake.
- Most obesity, however, probably results from interactions among multiple genes and environmental factors. Families can’t change their genes but they can change the family environment to encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity.
- Some illnesses may lead to obesity or weight gain, such as Cushing's disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may also contribute.
Health Consequences
People who are obese, compared to those with a normal or healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including the following:
- All causes of death
- Hypertension
- High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease and stroke
- Non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease and gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea and breathing problems
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
- Low quality of life
- Mental illness such as depression and anxiety
- Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning