Obesity: Causes and Prevalence

Highlights

• Obesity is a global epidemic primarily resulting from unhealthy environments that cause excess caloric intake and insufficient physical activity
• Obesity increases the risk of adverse health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

Obesity is a global epidemic primarily resulting from unhealthy environments that cause excess caloric intake and insufficient physical activity. An estimated 3.4 million adult deaths annually are attributed to overweight and obesity, making them the leading causes of death worldwide. Prevalence of adult obesity is 11% globally and 35% in the United States.

Obesity increases the risk of adverse health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, obese individuals face stigma and discrimination. The economic costs are substantial as well. Although extensive research is dedicated to managing obesity with lifestyle interventions, medications, and surgery, success has been limited. Short-term weight loss has been achieved, but further research is needed to discover how to maintain healthy weight long term.

Several studies support the use of fiscal and regulatory measures such as taxing sugar-sweetened beverages; however, these measures are often not politically feasible.

               

ALEXANDER, E., SELWYN, A., CALITZ, C., YACH, D. & WANG, Y. C. 2016. Obesity: Causes and Prevalence. Encyclopedia of Food and Health. Oxford: Academic Press.