Obesity is an epidemic in the US. According to the CDC, over 41% of adults 20+ in the US are obese, and more than 70% are overweight. Obesity can be classified as having a Body Mass Index of 30 or more and comes with a host of metabolic disorders that may include: Type-2 diabetes, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Heart Diseases, and Certain Cancers

The Cost of Obesity

More than the ever-increasing yearly direct and indirect costs of obesity, it costs, by some estimates, over 110,000 people their lives each year. Individuals with obesity often suffer from many health conditions at an early age. For example, diseases that are rarely observed in adolescents are becoming increasingly common. The result is that many people start their adulthood in poor health. It then becomes increasingly difficult to treat obesity by conventional means such as diet and exercise.

Causes of Obesity

The three leading causes of obesity are genetic, environmental, and medical.

Genetic Factors: Generally, children of those who are obese tend to be obese. The genetic basis of obesity is difficult to establish, as it may also be environmental. However, there is a growing consensus that, in some cases, obesity may indeed be genetic.

Environmental Factors: Obesity can also result from environmental and social factors, as lifestyles and behaviors have changed over generations. A general decline in physical activity, combined with increased caloric intake, has led to greater societal weight gain. The world around us can be hectic, and we often don’t realize how many calories we consume, to the detriment of our health.

Medical Factors: Medical causes of obesity can stem from treatable diseases or from the side effects of certain medications. Hormonal changes and fluctuations may also trigger weight gain. Any of these may cause obesity.

Am I At Risk?

The Body Mass Index (BMI) can help determine whether you are overweight or obese. You should also factor in your body shape and muscle composition, which can predict health problems. Recent research has proven that waist circumference and abdominal fat are linked to severe obesity-related health problems. If your body stores its fat mainly in the waist/abdominal area, you will be more susceptible to health issues. Women with waist measurements over 35 inches and men with waist measurements over 40 inches are at the highest risk.