Overweight and Obesity
Facts and Figures
- Since 1980, obesity has more than doubled worldwide.
- In 2008, 1.4 billion adults (20 years and over) were overweight. Within this group, more than 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.
- 65% of the world population lives in countries where overweight and obese takes more people life than underweight charged.
- In 2010, about 40 million children under five years were overweight.
- Obesity is preventable.
What are overweight and obesity?
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may be harmful to health.
The body mass index (BMI) is a simple indicator of the relationship between weight and height that is commonly used to identify overweight and obesity in adults. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilos by the square of your height in meters (kg/m2).
The WHO definition is:
- A BMI equal to or greater than 25 determines overweight.
- A BMI equal to or greater than 30 determines obesity.
BMI provides the most useful measure of overweight and obesity in the population, since it is the same for both sexes and for adults of all ages. However, it should be considered as an indicator beacuse it may not match the same level of thickness in different people.
Overweight and Obesity Data
Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk factor for death in the world. Each year die at least 2.8 million adults as result of being overweight or obese. In addition, 44% of diabetes, 23% of ischemic heart disease and between 7% and 41% of some cancers, are attributable to overweight and obesity.
What causes overweight and obesity?
The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and expended. In the world, there has been:
- An increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat, salt and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients.
- A decrease in physical activity as result of the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, new modes of transportation and increasing urbanization.
Often changes in eating habits and physical activity as result of environmental and social changes associated with the development and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transportation, urban planning, environment, processing, distribution and food marketing, and education.
What are the common consequences of overweight and obesity to health?
A high BMI is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease, mainly heart disease and stroke.
- Diabetes.
- Musculoskeletal disorders, especially osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints (very disabling).
The risk of these non-communicable diseases increases with increasing BMI.
Childhood obesity is associated with an increased likelihood of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood. But besides these higher future risks, obese children suffer respiratory distress, increased risk of fractures and hypertension, and in early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects.
How can overweight and obesity be reduced?
Overweight and obesity, and their associated to non-communicable diseases, are largely preventable. To support people in the process of making choices is to recommend healthy food and regular physical activity, and thus to prevent obesity, communities and favorable environments are fundamental.
At the individual level, people can:
- Limit the energy intake from the amount of total fat.
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts.
- Limit your intake of sugars.
- Regular physical activity.
- Achieve energy balance and a healthy weight.