There are several reasons why Obesity is such an important topic today. For starters, it is well proven that people who are obese, when compared to individuals of healthy weight, are at increased risk for the following serious health issues:
All-causes of death (mortality)
Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder, and liver)
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Gallbladder disease
Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)
Sleep apnea and breathing problems
Mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
The other reason Obesity has become such an important topic today, is because a larger share of our country is obese. About 1 in 3 US adults are Obese, and even 1 in 5 children! According to CDC data from 2016, 40% of US adults, over 93 million people are Obese. Hispanic adults and non-Hispanic Black adults in the US had the highest obesity rates at 47%, compared to 38% for non-Hispanic white adults, and 13% for non-Hispanic Asian adults. Take a look at these maps of self-reported obesity among US adults by state:
Obesity is defined by using your height and weight to determine, Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI greater than or equal to 30 is considered Obese, a BMI between 25-29 is considered Overweight. You can use this table to determine your BMI and help others understand whether or not they are at risk for this important, yet preventable chronic condition:
We hope you enjoyed this post. Remember, with the healthier clinic, you receive a trusted physician advisor focused on disease prevention, to help you become healthier.
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