Obesity at a Glance

Obesity at a Glance

According to study findings, over the past few decades the prevalence of obesity has raised significantly, as a result, obesity got recognition as one of the most critical public health problems that need significant attention in the United States (Kirby, J. B., Liang, L., Chen, H., & Wang, 2012). According to Gallup-Healthways well- being index findings almost 63.1% of adult in the United States were either obese or overweight in 2009 (Hendrick, 2010). In order to help individuals with this problem, annual screening by measuring Body Mass Index (BMI) should be considered. According to this article, obesity rate in America ranks second place compared to other countries such as Italy (Allen, 2011). In addition, compare to other countries American tend to be obese and unhealthy (Allen, 2011). It is also beneficial to compare American population to other population in order to determine reasons behind Americans obesity. There are so many reasons to count why this topic is so crucial to look at and to strive to improve the public daily life style.

Current Status of obesity

Statistic indicates that, in United States, almost one in every three people is medically obese (Allen, 2011). Obesity, a chronic disease that is increasing in prevalence in adult, adolescents, and children is now one of the most critical health problems. More than one third of adults older than 20 years are obese and defined as, having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Unfortunately, screening for obesity does not yet appear to be a routine practice. However, study suggests, measuring body mass index (BMI) should be the first step to determine the degree of adiposity.

In order to improve the health of Americans and to avoid overall risk of obesity, it is essential to educate and screen individuals for overweight and obesity by measuring body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference at the periodic health examination. Body mass index is easy to measure, reliable and most practical way to evaluate the degree of excess weight. Researcher's support the use of body mass index in risk assessment, because, it provides a more accurate measure of total body fat compared with body weight alone.

According to experts, Body mass index calculated as follow: BMI= body weight (in kg) ÷ height (in meters) squared. Classification of body mass index (BMI) recommended by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization (WHO) 2011, and endorsed by most expert groups are:

1. Underweight - BMI <18.5 kg/m2

2. Normal Weight- BMI ≥ 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2

3. Overweight- BMI ≥ 25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2

4. Obesity Class І- BMI of 30.0 to 34.9 kg/m2

5. Obesity class ІІ - BMI of 35.0 to 39.9 kg/m2

6. Obesity Class ІІІ- BMI ≥40 kg/m2.

When needed, these classification levels can be used to guide selection of therapy.

Obesity in America Verses other Countries

According to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Compare to other countries obesity rates in the United States has been rising tremendously and listed on second place and the highest in the world (Allen, 2011). In 2010, data indicate that 28% of all United States residents have been medically classified as obese (Allen, 2011) verses other countries such as Japan 3%, Korea 4%, Switzerland 8%, Italy, Norway and Sweden 10%. It is also necessary to compare U.S population to other population in order to determine necessary steps to combat obesity.

Comparing Obesity Continues

According to researchers, American populations have a higher rate of obesity than Canadian population. Statistics shows, 34% of American population tends to be obese compared to Canadian population which is only 24%. In the same article, when compare American population to Canadian population, Canadian population falls on obesity class І compare to United States population falls in obesity class's ІІ or ІІІ (Preston, & Stokes, 2011). When compare obesity by gender, American men are 8% higher than Canadian or 32.6% to 24.3%, and American women obesity range listed 36.2% verses Canadian 23.9%. Survey finds the reason behind these differences is that Americans tend to eating poorly and exercises less (Hendrick, 2010). Despite all this numbers, what American people need to understand is that, there is a strong relation between BMI and disease prevalence. Many study showed that, obesity causes and associated with a significant increase in mortality and risk of many disorders, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, cancer, and many others (Crawford, A., Cote, C., Couto, J., Daskiran, M., Gunnarsson, C., Haas, K., & ... Schuette, 2010).

Conclusion

Currently, in the United States one third of adults older than 20 years are obese (Kirby, J. B., Liang, L., Chen, H., & Wang, 2012). The past 20 years, the prevalence of American obesity has been increasing, resulting in a need for improved prevention efforts and anticipatory guidance. Early detection makes many disease more treatable and obesity in no different. One way to do that is, by having individuals to screening for body mass index routinely. Respectfully, according to statistics Americans tend to be bigger and unhealthy eater than other countries such as Japan, Korea, and Italy. Percentile wise, study indicated that American populations have a higher rate of obesity than Canadian. Despite all this been said, as Americans if we all work together to combat this issue, obesity is preventable and detectable.