Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity
Before we answer this question, let us define what obesity is. According to the World Health Organization’s definition, overweight is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 25, and obesity as a BMI of equal to or greater than 30. Risks of chronic diseases will increase as BMI progresses from 21.
BMI is a measure of the condition of the weight-height relationship in a person. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilos by the square of his or her height in meters.
Is obesity dangerous? It is, so much so the WHO commissioned many studies over the years on the problem. The projection for obesity in 2005 by WHO was that globally approximately 1.6 billion were classified as overweight and at least 400 million adults were obese.
By 2015, the figures will escalate to 2.3 billion and 700 million respectively. Even among children the problem exists. In 2005, the WHO figure for children below the age of 5 was 20 million.
The question is obesity dangerous is increasingly getting clearer. Overweight and obesity were once thought to be prevalent in high income nations. It was erroneously thought the availability of rich foods and easy living were the chief culprits in creating overweight and obese people. This myth was however dispelled. Nowadays, the problem is also on the rise in not so affluent nations especially in urban areas.
It has been recognized the most important factors causing global rise in overweight and obesity can be traced to the following:
- Increase in the intake of energy dense foods that are high in fat and sugar and low in vitamins, minerals and other micro-nutrients. The energy intakes are increasingly greater than expended
- The increasing trend toward a more sedentary lifestyle. Modern conveniences like automobiles, elevators and pleasurable entertainments like television and computer games give us more opportunities to be physically less active.
Is obesity dangerous? Yes. Overweight and obesity create great risks to health.
The risks increase as BMI progresses. Amongst the chronic diseases linked to obesity are:
– Cardiovascular diseases: the diseases of the heart and stroke is already claiming 18 million lives annually worldwide
– Cancers: certain types of cancers (breast, colon and endometrial) are linked to obesity. In the US 547,000 lives are lost annually to cancers, while globally 7.6 million people succumbed to it.
– Type 2 diabetes: The American Diabetes Association reported a 5% increase annually since 1990
– Osteoarthritis
– Thyroid problem
From the foregoing statistics, the question is obesity dangerous is self evident
What can be done to reduce the burden of obesity and overweight? The good news is that overweight and obesity and its accompanying chronic diseases are largely preventable. On a personal level, WHO recommends:
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Achieving energy balance
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Achieving an ideal body weight. An ideal BMI is between 20 and 25
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Avoiding saturated (bad) fats and use more unsaturated (good) fats
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Increasing the intake of more plant foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and legumes
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Limit the intake of sugar and salt. Stay away from preserved meats like bacon and ham
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Increasing physical activities. Have at least half an hour of vigorous exercise or an hour of less vigorous exercise a day
The issue whether is obesity dangerous is an issue that affects almost everyone across the board, young or old, male or female alike. Ignore it at your own peril!
