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Facts about Obesity: 20 Things You Need to Know

Consider a world in which everyone is healthy and happy. Where people of all shapes and sizes felt confident in their skin. Where no one was concerned about having chronic ailments as a result of their weight.

Unfortunately, we do not yet live in such a world. Obesity is an internationally recognized problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a major health issue that can result in several chronic diseases as well as social and psychological issues.

However, there is good news. It is possible to avoid being obese. We may lower our risk of contracting this illness and enhance our general health and well-being by being aware of the facts regarding obesity and adopting good decisions.

We’ll go through 20 crucial obesity-related facts in this article. We’ll discuss obesity’s causes, risk factors, available treatments, as well as the social and psychological effects of this condition.

We hope that this article will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration you need to make wise decisions and lower your risk of obesity.

1. Obesity is a Worldwide Problem

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More than 650 million adults globally are obese, making obesity a global epidemic. This indicates that more than 13% of adults worldwide are fat. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more is considered obese.

Your BMI is determined by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. Obesity prevalence has significantly increased in recent decades, and it is now a serious public health issue in many nations.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for a variety of chronic illnesses, including osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Obesity  also raises the risk of mental health issues like sadness and anxiety. Obesity has a complicated set of hereditary and environmental contributing factors.

2. Obesity is Characterized by An Excessive Buildup of Bodily Fat

Obesity is characterized by an excessive buildup of body fat that is harmful to health. It is a complicated illness that is influenced by several lifestyles, environmental, and hereditary variables.

A normal and essential component of the human body is body fat. It gives important organs energy, insulation, and defense. But having too much body fat increases your risk of obesity.

3. Obesity is Common in Developed Countries, But It is Rapidly Increasing in Low-Income Countries

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Obesity is more prevalent in higher-income countries, but it is also quickly increasing in low- and middle-income countries.  The increase in obesity in low- and middle-income countries is due to a variety of variables.

One of the variables is globalization.  As Western diets and habits spread to low- and middle-income countries, the availability of processed foods, sugary drinks, and harmful fats has grown.

 Economic growth is another factor that is contributing to the rise in obesity.  As low- and middle-income countries prosper, people are more likely to work in sedentary employment and have less time for physical activity.

Urbanization is another factor that is contributing to the rise in obesity cases in low and medium-income countries.  In low- and middle-income nations, more people are moving to cities, where there are fewer chances for physical activity and more availability to unhealthy diets.

4. Obesity is the Largest Preventable Cause of Death Worldwide

With an estimated 4 million fatalities caused annually, obesity is the leading preventable cause of mortality in the world.

This is because obesity is a significant risk factor for several chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Osteoarthritis, depression, and sleep apnea are just a few of the additional health issues that obesity can cause. A person’s quality of life and lifetime may be affected by certain health issues.

5. Approximately 39 Million Children Under the Age of Five were Overweight or Obese in 2016

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In 2016, an estimated 39 million children under the age of five were overweight or obese according to World Health Organization. Overweight and obese children are at a higher risk of acquiring chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer.

A lot of factors contribute to childhood obesity, including a poor diet, a lack of physical activity, and heredity.

Children who consume an excessive amount of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats are at a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Children who do not get enough regular exercise are at risk as well. Genetics can also play a role in childhood obesity since some children are more genetically inclined to become overweight or obese than others.

6. Obesity is Associated with an Increased Risk of Mental Health Problems

Due to several factors, obesity is linked to a higher risk of mental health issues. Bullying, chronic health concerns, negative side effects of medicines, and body image challenges are a few of them.

Research also points to a biological connection where inflammation may be involved. Obesity and mental health are intimately connected, albeit the relationship is complex.

7. The World’s High Healthcare Costs are Mostly Caused by Obesity

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The global cost of healthcare is significantly influenced by obesity. Approximately $2.0 trillion, or 2.8% of the world’s gross domestic product, was predicted to be lost due to overweight and obesity in 2019.

Numerous chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, are at increased risk due to obesity. These illnesses call for pricey medical treatment, including prescription drugs, operations, and long-term care.

Obesity includes both direct and indirect expenses, including lost productivity and absenteeism in addition to direct medical costs.

Employees who are obese have a higher tendency to call in sick and are less likely to be effective. Businesses and the economy may be significantly impacted by this.

8. The Causes of Obesity are Complex

Obesity is a complex condition caused by a mix of hereditary and environmental factors.

People who are genetically inclined to obesity are more likely to develop the illness if they are exposed to specific environmental conditions, such as a high-calorie diet or a lack of physical activity.

It is crucial to emphasize that there is no one cause of obesity, and the relative relevance of genetic and environmental factors varies from person to person.

9. Medical Conditions Like Hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s Syndrome Can Trigger Obesity

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The body’s regular metabolism and hormone activity can be interfered with by medical diseases including hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome, which can lead to obesity.

The insufficient thyroid hormone production associated with hypothyroidism is a condition. The metabolism—the process by which the body transforms food into energy—is regulated in part by thyroid hormone.

Weight gain might result from a slowed metabolism caused by insufficient thyroid hormone production.

The body overproduces the hormone cortisol in Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder. Because it is produced by the body in response to stress, cortisol is referred to as the “stress hormone.”

Gaining weight, especially around the abdomen and face, is one of the impacts of cortisol.

10. Obesity May Be a Side Effect of Some Drugs

Corticosteroids and certain antidepressants are two examples of medications that might cause obesity by altering appetite, metabolism, fluid retention, and fat redistribution.

Increased appetite, slowed metabolism, and fluid retention are all effects of corticosteroids that can lead to weight gain.

Due to its ability to increase appetite and slow metabolism, some antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants, can also result in weight gain.

11. Women are More Likely Than Men to be Obese

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Obesity is a worldwide health issue that affects women more than men. A mix of physiological, social, economic, and medical factors is to blame. Variances in hormone levels between men and women can cause variances in body composition and susceptibility to weight gain.

Women are frequently subjected to false beauty norms by society. This pressure might lead to poor eating habits and concerns with body image.

In 2016, 62.9% of women and 58.7% of men were overweight or obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Obesity prevalence, on the other hand, varies substantially by country and location.

12. Life Expectancy is Lowered by Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases, reducing life expectancy. Obese people are more likely to get heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Obesity-related chronic inflammation and hormonal changes raise illness risks. Diabetes can be caused by insulin resistance, and sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Obesity also contributes to disabilities such as osteoarthritis, which reduces one’s quality of life.

According to a 2018 Lancet study, obese people have a 20-40% higher chance of mortality from any cause and a 3-4 year drop in life expectancy compared to those who are healthy weight.

13. Pregnancy Problems Might be Brought on by Obesity

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Pregnancy issues like miscarriage, stillbirth, early birth, and gestational diabetes can all be brought on by obesity.

This is because being overweight makes it challenging for the body to provide the fetus with oxygen and nourishment.

Infection, blood clots, sleep apnea, and other pregnancy problems are all more prevalent in obese women.

14. Obese People are More Likely to Develop Certain Malignancies

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of acquiring various cancers. This is so because obesity fosters conditions that encourage the emergence and spread of cancer.

Chronic inflammation, imbalanced hormone levels, and altered metabolism are all linked to obesity and can all play a role in cancer.

Breast, colon, endometrial, esophagus, gallbladder, kidney, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, stomach, and thyroid cancer are among the cancers that frequently affect obese persons.

15. Obesity in Children can Result in Lifelong Health Issues

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The health effects of childhood obesity can last a lifetime. It can cause harm to the body’s cells and organs, which can result in chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

A low sense of self-worth and mental health issues can result from bullying and social isolation, which are more common among obese kids.

16. Obesity is Entirely Avoidable

Although obesity is a complex condition with many underlying causes, it is fully preventable. Obesity has two primary causes: eating more calories than you burn off each day and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Eating a nutritious diet and exercising frequently are crucial for preventing obesity. A diet low in processed foods and heavy in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is considered healthful.

Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight since it burns calories and builds muscle.

17. Obesity can Result in Workplace Discrimination

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The unfair treatment of persons based on their weight is known as obesity discrimination. It can take many different forms at work, such as being turned down for a job, being passed over for advancements, or experiencing harassment.

Discrimination based on obesity is damaging and unsupported by facts. Obese people are equally capable of performing their occupations successfully as their lean counterparts.

Employers should create anti-discrimination rules and educate staff members about unconscious bias to combat obesity-related discrimination.

18. For Severe Obesity, Weight Loss Surgery may Be An Option

Weight loss surgery is a surgical option for those who are severely obese. It works by altering the way the body digests food, causing people to feel fuller sooner and/or absorb fewer calories.

Weight reduction surgery is a substantial procedure, but it can be quite beneficial for those with severe obesity, allowing them to reduce significant amounts of weight and improve their health.

If you are thinking about having weight reduction surgery, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the various treatments.

19. Obesity Prevention Requires Regular Exercise

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Due to its benefits in calorie burning, muscular growth, and improved insulin sensitivity, regular exercise is crucial for preventing obesity.

According to the CDC, adults should engage in muscle-strengthening exercises two or more days per week, as well as 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardiovascular activity every week.

20. Obesity is Common in the United States of America

Obesity is common in the United States, and it is caused by factors such as an improper diet, a sedentary lifestyle, heredity, and certain medical disorders.

Obesity affects 41.9% of American adults, with higher rates in some demographics. Obesity is a serious public health problem that is connected to chronic diseases and high economic expenses.

To address it, healthier lifestyles must be promoted, food accessibility improved, and funds invested in obesity research and treatment methods.

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