Obesity in the US

 The media is saturated with news about the alarming rates of being overweight (defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water or a combination) and obesity (defined as having excess body fat) in the USA. Year after year the rate has been shown to be steadily increasing.  According to the American Heart Association, there are 154.7 million people overweight or obese among Americans 20 years and older.1 According to a Gallup poll conducted in 2013, adult obesity rate climbed from 26.2% to 27.2%. This 1% increase was found to be statistically significant and is the largest year-over-year increase since 2009.  This increase was shown to be true across almost all major demographic and socioeconomic groups. In fact, this epidemic has been predicted to worsen. Of note is that it tends to be worse in some states than others:

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Perhaps, more alarming is the increased rates reported in children and adolescents. According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.  In the 1980’s, 7% of children aged 6-11 years of age were classified as obese. Today, among the same age group, 18 % are considered obese. The obesity rate of those aged 12-19 years increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same time period. In 2012, one-third of children were overweight or obese. 4,5

As we all know, the consequences of being overweight or obese are grave. It has been estimated that it costs $254 billion per year in lost productivity due premature morbidity and mortality as well direct medical costs. It is predicted that if the trend continues, costs will reach over $900 billion by 2030. 1   The health consequences are our greater concern. The World Health Organization lists these are cardiovascular risks, musculoskeletal disorders (particularly osteoarthritis) and some cancers (endometrial, breast and colon) have been shown to have a higher incidence in obese patients. Additionally, some respiratory problems, hypertension, insulin resistance and diabetes and psychological disorders have been linked as well. 6

Seeing these statistics and negative outcomes it is imperative that we all step up to do our part to help slow the obesity epidemic.  It is seen across all ages, socioeconomic classes, demographics and is in fact a world-wide problem. In order to truly make a difference, a concerted effort needs to be made to educate patients and encourage lifestyle changes.