Overweight and Obesity as a Health Risk
by Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D, MPH.
The following article was published in the Stillwater News Press on March 7, 2001.
Your Health Your Responsibility! Obesity or overweight is interestingly desired and considered a symbol of wealth in some non-western cultures, where a man's fatness usually guarantees a higher social place among other men. For women, fatness reflects the quality of care rendered by a husband to his wife or wives, and a courtship attraction for the unmarried.
Overweight and Obesity has a different interpretation in America mostly because of the known health risk, and the media's glorification of thinness on the social front. This article discusses obesity and overweight as a health risk. If you are one of the 97.1 million American adults considered overweight, obese or just carrying excess body fat around, you might find this article informative, and like it, or consider it infringing in your personal life, and become defensive or hateful of the concepts presented. The reality is that obesity is a delicate topic to discuss, though the serious health risks associated with it warrant candid discussion by healthcare providers and educators. Those who do not have weight problems are more likely to read this article than those with weight problems. This is still helpful because those with weight problem are more likely to succeed in losing weight when supported by friends and loving partners who understand the risk associated with being overweight or obese. Some obesity questions and answers:
(1) What is overweight and obesity? Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9, and obesity is a BMI of 30 or greater. BMI is a more accurate measure of obesity, used by health and obesity researchers, that does not rely on weight alone, as other measures do.
(2) How is BMR calculated? BMR is calculated by using a person's height (in inches), and weight (in pounds) in the computation: assume that you are 5 ft. 8 ins (68 inches) and weigh 160 pounds; to calculate your BMI, multiply your weight by the constant of, 705, then divide the results by 68, and divide the result a second time by 68; or in this example, BMR = 705 X 160/68/68 or 24.4 (this is a rather safe BMR for this individual). Other means of measuring obesity include underwater procedure; skin folds and waist size measurements. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reports that men with a waist size above 40 inches, and women with waist size above 35 inches have greater risks for developing health problems.
(3) How common is obesity in America and Oklahoma? Estimates for obesity range from 20-55 % in America, depending on the BMR cutoff used. When a BMR of 30 and above (30% or above, desired weight) is used, 1 in 4 Americans are obese, reports the US centers for disease control. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 32.4 percent of Oklahomans as being overweight, and at risk for health problems.
(4) What are the health risks of being overweight or obese? Approximately 280,000 adult deaths in the country are attributed to obesity annually, compared to 35,000 deaths due to guns, and 25,000 deaths due to auto accidents, hence the foods we eat by our own selection or choosing kill far more of us than guns and automobiles combined. Overweight individuals have an increase risk of developing one or more of the following conditions: Heart disease and stroke, hypertension, non-insulin dependent or type 2 diabetes, osteo-arthritis, sleep apnea and other breathing problems. Others health problems of overweight include cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, and prostate. High blood cholesterol, menstrual irregularities, gall bladder disease, stress incontinence or urine leakage and depression are also associated with obesity. Social problems associated with obesity in America include low self-esteem, less social desirability, and a tendency to be considered being of low socioeconomic status.
(5) What causes obesity? Genetic as well as environmental factors do contribute to obesity. This article discuses environmental factors or what individuals can do to decrease health risks. Obesity/Overweight results when calories consumed in foods, exceed the calories used-up for energy and other metabolic processes, leading the body to store the unneeded calories in the form of fat, for a "rainy day", (to use in case of starvation), which hardly happens in food-abundant America. So excess stored fats continue to accumulate and lead to the health problems earlier discussed. Americans are said to be the fattest people in the world, have more expendable income, and often eat in restaurants where larger portions of foods greased and sweetened to improve taste are served. Physical inactivity and people's misunderstanding of food labels also contribute to obesity in American. Weight conscious individuals tend to be preoccupied with the concept of "low fat" and "healthy food" ads, without paying attention to total calories. Reducing fat can help reduce calories, and is heart-healthy, but reducing fat alone without considering total calories, will not produce weight loss.
(6) What is the cost of obesity? The National Center for Health Statistics, estimates the direct and indirect annual expenditure on obesity-related problems to be $99.2 billion.
(7) How can obesity be prevention or excess weight reduced? Successful weight reduction must involve:
- Calorie reduction
- Increased physical activity
- Behavior modification designed to improve good nutrition, break the food-addiction chain, and increase physical activity. Individuals must be physically active for 30 or more minutes per session, and for 3 or more days per week.
Conclusion:
Obesity/overweight is one of the most serious epidemics in the country. Although neither infectious or communicable, obesity can be considered a timed-bomb that requires individual, family as well as community efforts to defuse the "bomb", that causes multiple illnesses, deaths and socioeconomic consequences to individuals, families and the healthcare system. Adults need to honestly assess their eating behavior, activity levels, and not only blame "genetics" when obese. While obesity/overweight might be desired in other cultures, its known risks should make it undesirable in America. There is no "magic pill" or electronic device as yet to melt excess body fat while lying on a couch. Monitor food intake, be physically active, resist the always-eating temptation, and you can live a longer and healthier life for yourself and those you love. To lose excess and unhealthy body fat, start today, it's hard work but can be done!