Facts and Statistics About Obesity
August 24, 2022
Facts and Statistics About Obesity
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released alarming obesity statistics that reveal that over half a billion adults living worldwide are struggling with obesity.
Causes of Obesity
Facts about obesity lead to the conclusion that most cases of obesity are caused by more calories being consumed than are expended. This means that most people struggling with obesity are eating more calories than they are able to burn off throughout the course of a day.
A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to obesity by keeping calorie expenditure too low. Many Americans feel unable to stay active because of a lack of available walking paths or parks for recreational activities in the area. A busy lifestyle that is focused on spending time commuting and working instead of engaging in physical activity has also lead to an increase in the consumption of unhealthy fast food.
Obesity and Serious Health Concerns
Obesity statistics indicate that nearly three million people across the world die every year as a result of an illness that was caused by being overweight or obese. Medical conditions that have a direct link to obesity are listed below.
Diabetes
One of the facts about obesity is that it commonly leads to the development of Type 2 diabetes. Obesity statistics reveal that more than 80 percent of people who are living with Type 2 diabetes have developed the disease because of their weight. While weight loss and an increase in activity often ease the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, some people need medication to keep their diabetes under control.
Dyslipidemia
This condition means that good cholesterol is low and bad cholesterol is high. The concern related to dyslipidemia is that it is one of the major risk factors related to heart disease. Weight loss and regular exercise can help get cholesterol levels back into a healthy balance.
Heart Disease
Complications from heart disease can be fatal, and heart disease is responsible for nearly 25 percent of all deaths in the United States. One of the facts about obesity is that it is linked to many of the risk factors for heart disease. Risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and stress.
Hypertension
Commonly referred to as high blood pressure, hypertension is directly linked to an increase in body weight. Weight loss is the best way to decrease blood pressure. Hypertension may lead to stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.
Reproductive Disorders
Couples struggling with obesity may find that they also struggle with conceiving. Obesity statistics reveal that hormonal imbalances connected to carrying around extra weight can significantly impact a person's fertility. Men and women are both affected by these hormonal problems.
Effective Treatment for Obesity
One of the positive facts about obesity is that people dealing with health effects related to obesity can significantly improve their health by losing weight. Weight loss is a struggle for millions of Americans, so employing successful techniques for cutting calories and raising calorie expenditure is a must.
Calorie Reduction
Taking in fewer calories is the best way to lose weight, but facts about obesity show that many people dealing with extra weight have trouble reducing the size of their meals. Support from others who are trying to lose weight may help boost the chances of success.
Increase in Physical Activity
An increase in physical activity is often a matter of beginning an overall lifestyle change. While starting a regular exercise program can help people with obesity lose weight, finding ways to become more active in their day-to-day lives is important. For example, walking or biking to work may be an option that can increase calorie expenditure. Opting for stairs instead of elevators and parking as far away as possible while shopping and shopping in physical stores instead of online are all methods of increasing daily activity through a change in lifestyle.
People suffering from obesity may also want to shift the focus of their leisure time away from sedentary activities. Instead of watching television or playing video games, consider dancing, hiking or horseback riding.
Weight Loss Surgery
Because of the alarming nature of the obesity statistics and health concerns related to obesity, health insurance companies have started to be more willing to cover bariatric surgery costs. Bariatric surgery typically aids in weight loss by reducing calorie consumption through a limiting of the size of the stomach and hindering the absorption of calories.
Works Cited
1. http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
2. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.html
3. http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/type-2-diabetes/overview.html
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/basics/risk-factors/con-20034056
5. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/causes.html
6. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/treatment.html
7. http://www.obesityaction.org/wp-content/uploads/Infertility-and-obesity.pdf
8. http://obesityinamerica.org/understanding-obesity/obesity-related-diseases/