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Obesity
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Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disorder among children and adolescents in the United States. Currently available data report that approximately 40% of children in the United States are either overweight or obese; the prevalence of obesity is highest among specific ethnic groups.[4] Obesity is a critical determinant of this dyslipidemia, operating through a number of metabolic influences that include reduced insulin sensitivity and changes in fatty acid metabolism that are described subsequently. Variations in the nature and magnitude of the dyslipidemia are due to the interaction of genetic factors with environmental influences, most notably diet and physical activity, and possibly stress.[5] Obesity is a disease that affects nearly one-third of the adult American population (approximately 60 million). The number of overweight and obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that is not slowing down. Obesity is now the most common nutritional disorder in western industrialised countries. Defined as a body mass index of greater than 30, it arises from the accumulation of excess fat in the body from over consumption of fatty foods.[7] Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat. Obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls (Lohman, 1987).[8] Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem. It's a health hazard.[9] Obesity is seen as an individual problem, but in the case of children, they have very little control over their environment. Often, the parents have grown up with the same negative environmental factors (fast food availability, little incentive for exercise) and don?t know how or why to change what has become a way of life.[10] Obesity is an international problem, and as such is compared on an international basis where data are available. [11] Obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI) . A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.[12] Obesity is a chronic disease with serious consequences. It has been linked to more than 2.5 million deaths annually, and it is the cause of multiple diseases, referred to by doctors as co-morbidities.[13] Obesity is associated with high triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol. Obesity is a complex, multifactorial condition in which excess body fat may put a person at health risk. National data indicate that the prevalence of obesity in the United States is increasing in children and adults.[15] Obesity is commonly seen in families, and the heritability of body weight is similar to that for height. Inheritance is usually not Mendelian, however, and it is difficult to distinguish the role of genes and environmental factors.[16] Obesity is related to a bunch of other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Both obesity and diabetes among the poorest citizens of advanced capitalist societies are shooting through the roof, while India and China are today the world leaders in cardiovascular disease, and childhood obesity is increasing rapidly in China as the market is opened to Western food producers.[17] Obesity is a chronic disorder that has multiple causes. Overweight and obesity in childhood have significant impact on both physical and psychological health.[18] Obesity is the number one nutritional disorder among dogs. Studies suggest that approximately 25 percent of the dogs presented to veterinary clinics are overweight. Obesity is a disease and if modern science can find a cure for it in a form of a pill or drug than I think that will be great! [20] Obesity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with high medical expenditures. It has been suggested that obesity prevention could result in cost savings.[21] Obesity is now a major health problem in Africa, along with HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases. The problem is complicated by the coexistence of obesity and undernutrition in the same countries, households, and individuals.[22] Obesity is also linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer. Men who are obese are more likely than non-obese men to develop cancer of the colon, rectum, or prostate.[23] Prevention: Stopping the smoking of cigarettes is the single most effective measure any smoker can take to prevent heart disease. Weight reduction in cases of obesity is also vitally important.[24] Prevention is our last, best hope. [25] Prevention is clearly more cost effective than treatment, both in terms of economic and personal costs. Health care providers and policy makers need to appreciate the importance of obesity and its prevention, and develop effective polices and programmes to prevent obesity.[26]
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