Obesity: Causes and Risks

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Obesity Causes and Risks

• By Celeste Brown and Jael Hagerott

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Definition

• According to the CDC and WHO, obesity is defined
  as having a BMI of 30 or higher.
  
• According to WHO waist circumferences of 40
  inches in men and 35 inches in women are
  indicators of obesity.
  
• Morbid obesity is defined as having a BMI of 40
  or higher.

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Myths and Assumptions

• Myth 1Lack of activity and unhealthy eating is
  the sole cause of obesity.
  
• Fact Obesity is not just a behavioral issue.
  Other factors, such as psychological and
  metabolic factors, can contribute to obesity.
  
• Myth 2 Obesity is only prevalent in America.
• Fact Obesity is becoming more prevalent in
  developing countries as well.

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Myths and Assumptions cont.

• Myth 3 Obese individuals should lose large
  amounts of weight quickly.
  
• Fact A steady regimen of 1-2 lbs. a week is more
  sustainable.
  
• Myth 4 Osteoarthritis only develops when a
  large amount of weight is gained in a short time
  period.
  
• Fact With every 2 lb increase an individuals
  risk of osteoarthritis increases 9-13.

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Obesity in the U.S.

• Facts and Figures
• 30 of US adults (60 million people) are obese
  (3)
  
• 300,000 deaths each year are obesity-related (4)
• Women who are of a lower socioeconomic status are
  50 more likely to be obese. (3)
  

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Obesity in the U.S. cont.

• In 1991, only 4 out of the 50 states had an
  obesity prevalence of 15-19 (2)
  
• In 2000, all 50 states had a 15 or higher rate
  of obesity prevalence. (2)
  
• Obesity increased 20.9 in 2001, a 5.6 increase
  in one year and a 74 increase since 1991. (2)

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BMI 30, or 30 lbs. overweight for 5'4"
person
2004
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Economic Costs

• In the US, 122.9 billion is spent per year as a
  result of overweight and obesity issues. (2)
  
• Obesity involves both direct and indirect costs.
• Direct preventive, diagnostic, and treatment
  services for obesity 64.1 billion (2)
  
• Indirect morbidity and mortality 58.8 billion
  (2)
  
• 62.7 million is spent per year in doctors
  visits as a result of obesity. (2)
  
• 39.3 million is spent per year in lost workdays
  as a result of obesity. (2)

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Diagnosis of Obesity

• BMI Body Mass Index
• Standard for diagnosing obesity
• Problems athletes or those with a large muscle
  mass may be overestimated while those who have
  lost muscle mass, such as the elderly, may be
  underestimated

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• This is an example of an individual who is
  morbidly obese or Class III obese on the BMI chart

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Diagnosis cont.

• Waist circumference
• Waist to hip ratio
• Skinfold measurements
• Most researchers believe that the BMI is easier
  and as effective in diagnosing obesity as the
  above methods.

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Factors that Lead to Obesity

• Energy imbalance
• Calories consumedcalories expended
• Regular access to high-caloric foods such as
  pre-packaged food and fast-food.
  
• Increased portion sizes which thus increases the
  amount of calories consumed.

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Factors that lead to obesity cont.

• Lack of physical activity
• Most Americans are sedentary. Approximately 26
  of American adults reported no daily physical
  activity. (3)
  
• Lack of physical activity can be attributed to
  the increased use of cars, elevators, computers,
  dishwashers, and televisions.
  
• Many Americans believe that to improve health
  they must exercise vigorously. This has lead many
  to not participate in any physical activity. (3)

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Factors that lead to obesity cont.

• Environment
• Home increased time watching television and
  sitting
  
• Schools lack of PE and nutritious meals
• Work lack of exercise opportunities
• Community non-educated about nutrition and lack
  of resources for physical activity (sidewalks,
  community centers etc.)

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Factors that lead to obesity cont.

• Genetics
• Genetics can directly cause obesity through
  disorders such as Bardet-Biedi syndrome and
  Prader-Willi syndrome.
  
• It is likely that both genetics and behavior
  cause obesity.
  
• According to the CDC, multiple genes may
  increase ones susceptibility for obesity and
  require outside factors such as an abundant food
  supply or little physical activity. (3)

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Factors that lead to obesity cont.

• Diseases and Drugs
• Illnesses such as Cushings disease and drugs
  such as steroids and antidepressants can lead to
  obesity.(3)
  
• Diets and Prolonged Calorie Restriction
• Strict dieting puts an individual at a high risk
  for binge eating.
  
• 98 of dieters regain all the weight they managed
  to lose, plus approximately 10 extra pounds
  within 5 years. (1)

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Factors that lead to obesity cont.

• When food is used as medicine
• Using food as an attempt to numb or escape
  emotional pain and distress can be just as
  harmful as using drugs or alcohol.
  
• Eating is a common way for some people to deal
  with feelings of depression, loneliness, or even
  boredom. Too much stress
  
• There is now biological evidence that links the
  drive to eat with stress.
  
• Foods high in sugar, fat, and calories are
  commonly reached for in stressful situations.
  
• Hormones produced under stress may actually
  encourage the formation of fat cells. (1)

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Obesity can cause

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia high total cholesterol, high levels
  of triglycerides
  
• Type 2 diabetes
• More than 80 of people with type 2 diabetes are
  obese or overweight
  
• Coronary heart disease
• Excessive amounts of body fat result in higher
  levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and
  lower levels of HDL cholesterol which can result
  in inflammation and an increased risk of CVD

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Obesity can cause

• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

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How can Obesity be Treated?

• Causes of obesity vary greatly therefore,
  treatment will vary between individuals.
  
• Treatment will be based off of several factors
• Coexisting illnesses (diabetes, CVD, orthopedic
  problems)
  
• Psychological disorders (binge-eating disorder)
• Readiness of individual to lose weight (6)

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How can Obesity be Treated?

• Increase daily physical activity
• Adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of
  physical activity daily (taking the stairs,
  parking further away, household chores, etc.)
  
• Increase physical activity in the workplace
• Provide times, places, and incentives for
  employees to engage in physical activity

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How can Obesity be Treated cont.

• Reduce sedentary behaviors
• Reduce time watching T.V. and sitting
• Provide community resources for physical
  activity
  
• Facilities that are available to all people
  including the elderly (i.e. shopping malls,
  community centers, sidewalks, etc.)
  

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How can Obesity be Treated? Cont.

• Make healthier food choices
• Reduce consumption of foods containing high
  levels of sugar and fat
  
• Behavior modification increase whole grain,
  fruit, vegetable consumption
  
• Reduce portion sizes
• Create mechanisms for appropriate reimbursement
  for the prevention and treatment of overweight
  and obesity. (4)
  

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How can Obesity be Treated? cont.

• Surgery
• Extensive gastric bypass (biliopancreatic
  diversion) (5)
  
• Gastric banding (5)

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How can Obesity be Treated?Cont.

• Surgery cont.
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) (5)
• Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) (5)

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References

• http//www.obesityfocused.com/about/definition-of-
  obesity.php
  
• http//health.allrefer.com/health/obesity-info.htm
  l
  
• http//www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats
  /obese03_04/obese_fig2.gif
  
• http//www.dimensionsmagazine.com/dimtext/kjn/peop
  le/heaviest.htm
  
• http//www.anred.com/obese.html (1)
• http//www.obesityinamerica.org/economicimpact.htm
  l (2)
  
• http//www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/ (3)
• http//www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/callt
  oaction/fact_glance.htm (4)
  
• http//health.allrefer.com/pictures-images/obesity
  -and-health.html (5)
  
• Baechle, T.R., R.W. Earle. (2000) Essentials of
  Strength Training and Conditioning. Champaign,
  IL Human Kinetics. (6)