MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT

Weight management has become obsession in American culture as well as a significant health problem.  In the United States, obesity has risen at an epidemic rate during the past 20 years.  One of the national health objectives for the year 2010 is to the prevalence of obesity among adults to less than 15%.  Research indicates that the situation is worsening rather than improving.  

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, an estimated 61% of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese.  In 2000 38.8 million American adults met the criteria for obesity.

  Children are affected as well.  There are nearly twice as many overweight children and almost three times as many overweight adolescents as there were 20 years ago.

When the body is supplied with more energy than it can use, the result is an excess of energy (or a positive caloric balance) stored in the form of fat.  This continuous buildup of fat can eventually lead to obesity.  The average caloric intake for Americans has increased by 10% over the past two decades.  Additionally, nearly two-thirds of Americans are not physically active on a regular basis and 25% are completely sedentary.  In fact, in a recent study conducted by the RAND Institute, it was found that in terms of chronic conditions, obesity is more powerful risk factor than poverty, heavy drinking, or smoking.

Regardless of this issue, few experts question the real dangers to health and wellness from obesity.  Among the health problems caused by or complicated by obesity are increased surgical risk, hypertension, various forms of heart disease, stroke type 2 diabetes, several forms of cancer, deterioration of joints, complications during pregnancy, gallbladder disease, and an overall increased risk of mortality.  Obesity is closely associated with these chronic conditions that medical experts now recommend that obesity itself be defined and treated as a chronic disease.