Introduction and Purpose
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by abnormal or excess body fat that accumulates to the extent that it causes adverse health effects. People are classified as obese when their BMI (body mass index) is over 30kg. Obesity is correlated with various diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this research is to identify obesity as a global health issue, evaluate the methods and findings conducted on obesity, and find solutions to reduce obesity globally.
Key Findings
- Obesity can cause premature disability and death by increasing the risk of dementia, depression, certain types of cancer, heart disease, and cardiometabolic diseases.
- Children with a high BMI have insulin resistance which can lead to the storage of excess fats, causing chronic diseases, discrimination, and social stigmatization.
- Obesity prevalence is common globally in different regions and trends; understanding the cause of these regional differences can provide better intervention strategies.
- The main causes of the obesity pandemic are the global food system (fast foods), minimal physical activities, multiple technological innovations, and increased sedentary behavior.
- Translating the knowledge of the main causes of obesity prevalence into effective action can significantly reduce the effects of obesity worldwide.
- Actions that can be implemented to reduce the rates of obesity include policy changes that facilitate individual choices for foods with reduced fat, sugar, and salt, community efforts, and state and local programs.
Background Information
Obesity is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic diseases as it has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Some chronic diseases attributed to obesity include coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer (Blüher, 2019). A high BMI in children causes the storage of lipids and fats due to insulin resistance. CObese adults and children experience social stigmatization, discrimination, and psychological problems. Currently, the rates of obesity have increased due to the change in lifestyles (lifestyles have become more sedentary for work and leisure). Fast foods high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, and salts that were initially only present in prosperous countries rapidly made their way into developing countries. Fast foods have become more affordable over time, leading to increased obesity. Apart from dietary changes, adopting multiple technological innovations in the home, eliminating recess and physical education programs, and the car-dependent design of communities have also increased obesity. Various strategies can be undertaken to reduce the rates of obesity, such as reintroducing physical education programs and healthy living.
Methods
Data was collected from different regions to determine the prevalence of obesity worldwide. Data provided by the Global Burden of Disease Study (institute for health metrics and evaluation, Seattle, WA) was used, which defines obesity as a BMI of 30kg and overweight as a BMI of 25kg (Chooi et al., 2019). The world was divided into six regions according to WHO (world health organization); African, Americans, Eastern Mediterranean, European, South East Asia, and Western Pacific (2020). Data was collected for each region’s top five most populous countries; for example, the European region included Russia, Germany, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and France. Overall, the countries selected represented 78% of the world’s population (Chooi et al., 2019). The six regions significantly helped to determine the rates of obesity worldwide. Prevalence rates of obesity by sex, age, and region were reported.
Results
Prevalence of obesity by age and sex
The data collected from different regions helped to determine the prevalence of obesity by age and sex. Globally, a total of 1.9 billion and 609 million adults were estimated to be overweight and obese, representing approximately 39% of the world’s population (Chooi et al., 2019). The research showed that the prevalence of obesity was lower in women than in men (aged between 20 to 44 years) though the trend was reversed after age 45-49 (Chooi et al., 2019). The prevalence of obesity was higher in women than in men in all age groups, with differences in sex between 50 to 65 years (Chooi et al., 2019). The rates of obesity increased from 20 years, reached their peak between 50 to 65 years, and reduced afterward (Chooi et al., 2019). The data collected showed an increase in the prevalence of obesity was determined by age and sex.
Regional prevalence of obesity
The research was also used to determine the prevalence of obesity in different regions. America and European had the highest prevalence of obesity. In the American region, the prevalence of obesity increased from 12.9% in 1980 to 28.3% in 2015, while the increase in the European region was 14.5% in 1980 and 22.9% in 2015 (Chooi et al., 2019). In the Eastern Mediterranean region, obesity increased from 11.8% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2015, while in Africa, it increased by 18.5% to 34.5% (Chooi et al., 2019). West Pacific and South East Asia had the lowest prevalence rates globally; West Pacific had 0.8% in 1980 to 4.9% in 2015, while South East Asia had 1.7% to 6.2% (Chooi et al., 2019). The research shows prevalence rates of obesity have increased globally.
Conclusion and Policy Recommendation
Obesity is associated with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The rates of obesity have recently increased due to poor lifestyle changes such as the consumption of fast foods, the car-dependant design of communities, and the adoption of technological innovations. A research carried out in 6 regions showed an increase in obesity rates worldwide. Various strategies can be implemented to reduce obesity, such as; state and local programs, community efforts, physical education programs in schools, and healthy living.
References
Blüher, M. (2019). Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 15(5), 288-298. Web.
Chooi, Y. C., Ding, C., & Magkos, F. (2019). The epidemiology of obesity. Metabolism, 92, 6-10. Web.
World Health Organization. (2020). Overweight and obesity.Web.