Obesity in the World – Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to the overall  health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. The issue has grown to epidemic proportions, with over 4 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese in 2017 according to the global burden of disease.

Rates of overweight and obesity continue to grow in adults and children. From 1975 to 2016, the prevalence of overweight or obese children and adolescents aged 5–19 years increased more than four-fold from 4% to 18% globally.

Obesity is one side of the double burden of malnutrition, , and today more people are obese than underweight in every region of the world  except sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Once considered a problem only in high-income countries, overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. The vast majority of overweight or obese children live in developing countries, where the rate of increase has been more than 30% higher than that of developed countries.

Reasons are multiple, but one is the high prices to get organic or fruit and vegetable produce. Body weight results from several factors, such as poor nutritional choices, overeating, genetics, culture, and metabolism. Obesity is linked to many health complications and diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and stroke. Additionally, obesity is the leading preventable cause of preventable death.

Interestingly enough the more obese countries are Nauru, America Samoa, and the Cook Islands.

Risks of Morbid Obesity

If someone is morbidly obese they  may  experience health conditions like:

• Lower life expectancy – Being overweight leaves people at risk for not living as long as if they were in a healthy weight range.
• Type 2 diabetes – Obesity may lead to insulin resistance, creating inconsistent blood sugar levels that the body cannot maintain without the help of medication and diet changes.
• Hypertension and heart disease – Too much weight adds stress to your heart, and it cannot function properly to circulate oxygen through the body. In addition to high blood pressure, the patient may also be at risk for strokes.
• Osteoarthritis – Added weight causes the joints to wear down faster, especially around the hips and knees area. Over time, chronic inflammation leads to permanent damage and decreased mobility.
• Problems breathing – Added fat in the neck may block the airways, leading to sleep apnea and respiratory problems.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease – Excess weight means that the valve at the top of the stomach cannot function to keep acid in the stomach. If acid rises from the esophagus, the person may experience frequent heartburn.
• Depression – This condition can take a toll on a person’s mental health. Add in the stress of multiple health conditions, and depression becomes a prevalent concern.
• Infertility – Weight affects the reproductive organs and hormone levels, making it difficult to conceive.‌
• Urinary stress incontinence – Pressure on the kidneys and bladder weaken the muscles, making it more difficult to hold the urine if the person laughs, coughs, or sneezes.

If you want to learn more about how obesity affects your life and your health decisions feel free to contact us to learn more or get in contact with one of our bariatric doctors.