Several experts have postulated that the obesity epidemic may result in a decline in life expectancy in the United States in the 21st century.
The Link Between Obesity and Life Expectancy
One study of over a million adults in the U.S. found that death rates were linked to body mass index (BMI). In this study, death rates from cardiovascular disease were markedly elevated among individuals with higher BMIs. The lowest death rates were among women with a BMI of 22.0 to 23.4 and among men with a BMI of 23.5 to 24.9.
Other researchers have estimated that obesity causes approximately 300,000 deaths per year. Being overweight and obesity in childhood is especially ominous. In men especially, being overweight in childhood has been found to increase the risk of death from any cause.
Obesity as a Global Problem
Numerous organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have issued a call to action on the obesity epidemic, citing it as a major global health problem. The WHO estimates that at least 2.8 million people worldwide die each year due to being overweight or obese.
The WHO also notes that the prevalence of obesity globally nearly doubled between 1980 and 2008, and where obesity was once associated with high-income countries, it is now associated with low- and middle-income countries as well.
Childhood obesity has also become a global health problem; according to the WHO, over 40 million preschool children were overweight in 2008, and children who are overweight are more likely to become obese as adults.
Globally, according to WHO statistics, 44 percent of diabetes, 23 percent of ischemic heart disease, and as much as 41 percent of certain cancers can be attributed to overweight and obesity.
Obesity Treatment and Prevention
Such statistics make treatment and prevention of obesity ever more urgent. Individuals can take simple steps to prevent obesity and combat sedentary lifestyles, getting more physical activity on a daily basis and paying close attention to diet. Eliminating sources of added sugar and empty calories can go a long way toward weight management, and a growing awareness on local, national, and global levels is finally beginning to translate into community and policy measures.
If you have obesity or overweight, take heart in knowing that there are many resources that can help you lose weight, beginning with a discussion with your own primary care physician regarding which approach will be right for you. Keep in mind that losing just 5 percent to 10 percent of excess weight can result in major health benefits, and it is never too late to start.
