What are the contributing factors to the development of obesity?
Contributing factors to the development of obesity include a genetic disposition to gain weight, a high fat diet and a lowered energy expenditure. Obesity is a risk factor for a number of chronic diseases and therefore weight loss is usually advisable. Treatment of obesity can take several approaches and requires a change in dietary intake.
What is the prevalence of obesity in adults?
Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) is a chronic disease. The high prevalence of obesity in adults (24%) means that effective prevention and treatment are required. For weight loss in obesity, and stabilization at the reduced weight, a diet resulting in an energy deficit of 500 kcal/day is effective.
Is there any scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of obesity?
There is good scientific evidence for effective measures for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Obesity is a significant issue for health policy because it is so widespread in the population as a whole, and because of the high risk of complications it carries (1).
Is obesity a disease or a choice?
The World Health Organization (WHO), the German Federal Court, the European Parliament, and the German Obesity Association regard obesity as a chronic disease caused by a complex interaction between genetic factors and environmental or lifestyle factors, which carries increased morbidity and mortality and needs lifelong treatment.
ABSTRACT
Obesity is a chronic disease that is increasing in prevalence in the United States and worldwide and is often accompanied by multiple comorbidities that lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
FOOTNOTES
Presented at the symposium “An Integrative View of Obesity,” held at Experimental Biology 2009, New Orleans, LA, 18 April 2009.
Why is obesity a problem?
Obesity is a significant issue for health policy because it is so widespread in the population as a whole, and because of the high risk of complications it carries (1). According to the findings of the DEGS study (Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland, German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults) carried out between 2008 and 2011 by the Robert Koch Institute in a cohort representative of the whole population, 23.3% of men and 23.9% of women were obese (2). The prevalence of obesity increases four-fold with age in both men and women in an age-dependent manner. In the period from 1999 to 2009, in particular, the prevalence of persons with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2or higher rose markedly (3).
How much of the population is obese?
The high prevalence of obesity (24% of the adult population) and its adverse effects on health call for effective prevention and treatment.
How to gain weight with inactive lifestyle?
Getting exercise in everyday activities and as a leisure pursuit has a preventive effect. This goal is best achieved by endurance-focused physical exercise (use of large muscle groups) for more than 2 hours per week (8).
How can I prevent obesity?
To prevent overweight and obesity, people should eat and drink according to their nutritional needs, get regular exercise, and check their weight regularly (evidence level [EL] 1–4, recommendation grade [RG] A, eTable). So far as nutrition is concerned, they should consume less food with a high energy density and more food with a low energy density (EL 2, RG B). Foods that have a low energy density due to their high water or fiber content, such as wholegrain products, fruit, and vegetables, are comparatively more filling and have a low energy content (4). According to the German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians (DEGAM, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin), there is insufficient evidence to support the proposition that persons with a BMI over 25 kg/m2should avoid energy-dense foods. The German Society of Nutritional Medicine (DGEM, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährungsmedizin) also says that a Mediterranean diet helps prevent overweight and obesity.
Is obesity a chronic disease?
The World Health Organization (WHO), the German Federal Court, the European Parliament, and the German Obesity Association regard obesity as a chronic disease caused by a complex interaction between genetic factors and environmental or lifestyle factors, which carries increased morbidity and mortality and needs lifelong treatment. Because it is a heterogeneous disorder, individualized assessment, risk stratification, and treatment are required.
Is obesity a health problem?
Obesity is implicated in a wide variety of health problems such as impaired sense of wellbeing and impair ed quality of life, numerous complications, high frequency of sick leave and early retirement, and increased mortality. The health-related complications are due to the increased proportion of body fat and associated disturbances of endocrine/metabolic function and due to increased mechanical load. Fatty tissue does not only store energy, it is also an active endocrine organ that is closely connected to the intermediary metabolism.
Is weight loss contraindicated for pregnant women?
Weight loss is contraindicated for persons with wasting diseases and for pregnant women.
What was the prevalence of obesity in 1999?
In 1999–2000, 27.5% of men were obese, and by 2009–2010 the prevalence had increased to 35.5%. Among women, 33.4% were obese in 1999–2000 with no significant change in 2009–2010 (35.8%). In 1999–2000, the prevalence of obesity was higher in women than in men. Between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010, the difference in the prevalence of obesity between men and women decreased so that in 2009–2010, the prevalence of obesity in men was virtually equal to that in women (Figure 4). There was no significant change in the prevalence of obesity from 2007–2008 to 2009–2010 overall or among men or women.
How many people were obese in 2009?
Among children and adolescents aged 2–19, more than 5 million girls and approximately 7 million boys were obese.
Is obesity higher in preschoolers or adolescents?
The prevalence of obesity was higher among adolescents than among preschool-aged children (Figure 2). The prevalence of obesity was higher among boys than girls (18.6% of boys and 15.0% of girls were obese).