Obesity…A Heavy Obesity…A Heavy Problem!Problem!

Tamara TwardowskiTamara Twardowski

Emily RouthEmily Routh

Adrienne GlickAdrienne Glick

What is obesity?What is obesity? A chronic disease characterized by an A chronic disease characterized by an

excess of body fat that is determined by excess of body fat that is determined by body mass index. Obesity involves a body mass index. Obesity involves a combination of social, behavioral, combination of social, behavioral, cultural, physiologic, metabolic and cultural, physiologic, metabolic and genetic factors.genetic factors.

Body Mass Index (BMI) - is weight in kg Body Mass Index (BMI) - is weight in kg divided by height in mdivided by height in m22..

A BMI greater than 30 kg per mA BMI greater than 30 kg per m2 2 (66 lbs) (66 lbs) is considered obese. A BMI between 25-is considered obese. A BMI between 25-30 kg per m30 kg per m22 (55-60 lbs) is considered (55-60 lbs) is considered overweight.overweight.

Causes of ObesityCauses of Obesity GeneticsGenetics DietDiet ActivityActivity Medical ProblemsMedical Problems Sex, Age, Smoking, Pregnancy, Sex, Age, Smoking, Pregnancy,

Medications, IllnessesMedications, Illnesses StressStress Marketing and AdvertisingMarketing and Advertising

Health EffectsHealth Effects

Coronary Heart Coronary Heart DiseaseDisease

Premature DeathPremature Death Kidney & Liver Kidney & Liver

ConditionsConditions ArthritisArthritis Type II DiabetesType II Diabetes CancerCancer Digestive DiseasesDigestive Diseases

Early MaturationEarly Maturation High Blood High Blood

PressurePressure High CholesterolHigh Cholesterol Sleep ApneaSleep Apnea Polycystic Ovary Polycystic Ovary

Disease Disease StrokeStroke Lipid DisordersLipid Disorders

Treatments and Treatments and SolutionsSolutions

Behavior InterventionsBehavior Interventions Life-style changes including modified diet, Life-style changes including modified diet,

physical activity, psychological functioning, and physical activity, psychological functioning, and decreasing high risk activities.decreasing high risk activities.

Pharmacological InterventionsPharmacological Interventions Medications that specifically target weight loss Medications that specifically target weight loss

by increasing metabolic rate and controlling by increasing metabolic rate and controlling hunger.hunger.

Medications that alleviate the symptoms of Medications that alleviate the symptoms of diseases/illnesses resulting from obesity.diseases/illnesses resulting from obesity.

Surgical InterventionSurgical Intervention Bariatric surgery is a procedure that modifies Bariatric surgery is a procedure that modifies

the stomach. the stomach. Tertiary Prevention Tertiary Prevention

Educational programs that increase societal Educational programs that increase societal awareness of health problems related to awareness of health problems related to obesity.obesity.

Limiting the encouragement of high-calorie, Limiting the encouragement of high-calorie, high-fat foods in the advertising industry.high-fat foods in the advertising industry.

Personal Costs of ObesityPersonal Costs of Obesity

Out-of-pocket medical costs up to Out-of-pocket medical costs up to 26.1% more than non-obese 26.1% more than non-obese counterparts.counterparts.

Individual net worth up to 40% less Individual net worth up to 40% less than non-obese individuals.than non-obese individuals.

Higher insurance ratesHigher insurance rates Doctor bills, medications, and quick Doctor bills, medications, and quick

fix weight loss solutionsfix weight loss solutions

Societal Costs of ObesitySocietal Costs of Obesity

Total annual cost - $117 billionTotal annual cost - $117 billion $61 billion in direct costs such as $61 billion in direct costs such as

treatment of related diseasestreatment of related diseases $56 billion in indirect costs such as loss $56 billion in indirect costs such as loss

of productivity due to disability, of productivity due to disability, morbidity, and mortalitymorbidity, and mortality

$33 billion in annual weight loss $33 billion in annual weight loss expendituresexpenditures

Predisposition Towards Predisposition Towards ObesityObesity

The onset of obesity can occur as early as The onset of obesity can occur as early as conception, due to a gene disorder. conception, due to a gene disorder. The neurodevelopmental disorder Prader-Willi The neurodevelopmental disorder Prader-Willi

Syndrome is an example.Syndrome is an example. Abnormal hypothalamic pathways result Abnormal hypothalamic pathways result

in inhibition of satiation.in inhibition of satiation. In turn, the body misinterperets this In turn, the body misinterperets this

abnormality as starvation, which manifest abnormality as starvation, which manifest as obesity in a food-rich environment. as obesity in a food-rich environment.

The Growing Trend Of The Growing Trend Of Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

Obesity in children almost inevitably leads to obesity Obesity in children almost inevitably leads to obesity in adulthood.in adulthood.

Due to technological advances such as televisions, Due to technological advances such as televisions, computers, and video games children are more computers, and video games children are more sedentary. sedentary.

Advertisements and appearance of unhealthy foods Advertisements and appearance of unhealthy foods entice children. In addition to this problem there is entice children. In addition to this problem there is little promotion of healthy foods.little promotion of healthy foods.

Today, it is common for both parents to work and Today, it is common for both parents to work and fast food easily fits into busy schedules. fast food easily fits into busy schedules.

Children struggling with obesity tend to mature Children struggling with obesity tend to mature earlier than their non-obese peers.earlier than their non-obese peers.

Obesity causes children to become easy targets for Obesity causes children to become easy targets for discrimination from peers, and leads to low self-discrimination from peers, and leads to low self-esteem. esteem. Poor self image often results in eating disorders, Poor self image often results in eating disorders,

especially in girls. especially in girls.

An American TrendAn American Trend

How Do We Size Up?How Do We Size Up? Baltimore, MD placed 19Baltimore, MD placed 19thth out of the top 25 out of the top 25

fattest cities in 2002, with Houston, TX fattest cities in 2002, with Houston, TX coming in first.coming in first.

These results are based on several factors These results are based on several factors linked to obesity.linked to obesity. Poor access to gyms and sporting goodsPoor access to gyms and sporting goods Lack of exercise and sportsLack of exercise and sports Excessive T.V. watchingExcessive T.V. watching Few Parks and open spacesFew Parks and open spaces Inadequate water quality, geography and climateInadequate water quality, geography and climate High incidence of smoking High incidence of smoking High alcohol consumptionHigh alcohol consumption

Lets CompareLets Compare

Typical American Diet Traditional Chinese DietCalories (per day) 2000 2600Fat (% of total calories) 35% 22%Protein (% of total calories) 18% 9%Carbohydrates (% of total calories) 48% 65%Fiber (grams per day) 14% 33%

““The world is round and so The world is round and so are a growing number of its are a growing number of its

inhabitants.”inhabitants.” The spread of obesity is not only The spread of obesity is not only

plaguing the United States and other plaguing the United States and other developed countries, but can now be developed countries, but can now be seen in third world countries as they seen in third world countries as they become more industrialized.become more industrialized.

In 1995 an estimated 200 million obese In 1995 an estimated 200 million obese adults existed worldwide. By 2000 this adults existed worldwide. By 2000 this statistic skyrocketed to over 300 million. statistic skyrocketed to over 300 million.

In developing nations, an estimated 115 In developing nations, an estimated 115 million people suffer from obesity related million people suffer from obesity related problems.problems.

Environmental Factors Environmental Factors Associated With ObesityAssociated With Obesity

Outcast from society, leading to Outcast from society, leading to depressiondepression

Discrimination from teachers Discrimination from teachers affecting educationaffecting education

Less inclined to capitalLess inclined to capital Marry less frequently Marry less frequently Job discriminationJob discrimination

The Effects of Obesity on The Effects of Obesity on the Environmentthe Environment

The eating habits of today’s society are The eating habits of today’s society are further stressing the environment’s food further stressing the environment’s food supply as world population continues to supply as world population continues to grow.grow. Uneven distribution of food is a leading Uneven distribution of food is a leading

cause of obesity in some societies. cause of obesity in some societies. The human society’s current eating The human society’s current eating

trends are also reflected in our trends are also reflected in our domesticated pets; pets are a product of domesticated pets; pets are a product of their owners. their owners.

Challenges Related To Challenges Related To Obesity Treatment and Obesity Treatment and

PreventionPrevention

Many medications and weight loss Many medications and weight loss programs are aimed at short term programs are aimed at short term results. Termination of these results. Termination of these practices causes individuals to return practices causes individuals to return to their previous state of health.to their previous state of health.

Long term benefits require Long term benefits require permanently changing multiple permanently changing multiple lifestyle behaviors. Maintenance is lifestyle behaviors. Maintenance is the common downfall. the common downfall.

Interview with Dr. Hurry Interview with Dr. Hurry (veterinarian)(veterinarian)

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. When did you begin When did you begin working in this field?working in this field?

2.2. Have you noticed a Have you noticed a trend in the weight of trend in the weight of your patients?your patients?

3.3. What are some What are some possible causes?possible causes?

4.4. Do you dealt with this Do you dealt with this issue directly?issue directly?

5.5. What are the long What are the long term effects?term effects?

AnswersAnswers

1.1. 19831983

2.2. Yes, a greater trend toward obesity Yes, a greater trend toward obesity especially in cats and dogs.especially in cats and dogs.

1.1. 40-50% of pets I see are 40-50% of pets I see are overweightoverweight

2.2. 10% are obese10% are obese

3.3. The availability of a wide variety of The availability of a wide variety of food and treats, Owners don’t control food and treats, Owners don’t control food intake and often feed pets table food intake and often feed pets table food. food.

4.4. I deal with this situation on a daily I deal with this situation on a daily basis and administer special diets that basis and administer special diets that are successful if owners are are successful if owners are consistent. consistent.

5.5. Premature death rendered by heart Premature death rendered by heart failure and liver and kidney failure and liver and kidney conditions. Also affects joints and conditions. Also affects joints and causes arthritis. causes arthritis.

Interview with Dr. Borin Interview with Dr. Borin (Pediatrician) (Pediatrician)

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. When did you begin When did you begin working in this field?working in this field?

2.2. Have you noticed a Have you noticed a trend in the weight of trend in the weight of your patients?your patients?

3.3. Is their a general Is their a general trend in society?trend in society?

4.4. What are some What are some possible causes?possible causes?

5.5. What are the long What are the long term effects?term effects?

AnswersAnswers

1.1. 19711971

2.2. Not personally because I treat a Not personally because I treat a selective population. Wealth and selective population. Wealth and intelligence contribute to my patients intelligence contribute to my patients knowledge of nutritional abuse.knowledge of nutritional abuse.

3.3. Yes, there is a growing trend Yes, there is a growing trend especially in lower economic classes especially in lower economic classes and urban areas.and urban areas.

4.4. Marketing and advertisements Marketing and advertisements appearing on TVs are promoting foods appearing on TVs are promoting foods that are high in starch, fat, additives, that are high in starch, fat, additives, and processing. Children’s tendency and processing. Children’s tendency to want “junk food” and parents to want “junk food” and parents willingness to comply. Fast foods and willingness to comply. Fast foods and snacks generally contain unhealthy snacks generally contain unhealthy fats contributing to obesity. This fats contributing to obesity. This leads to sedentary behavior. leads to sedentary behavior.

5.5. Lipid disorders, high cholesterol, Lipid disorders, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, artery cardiovascular disease, artery damage, and high blood pressure.damage, and high blood pressure.

The Eye Opening RealityThe Eye Opening Reality 1 in 5 children in America are obese.1 in 5 children in America are obese. ¼ of American adults are obese.¼ of American adults are obese. Approximately 280,000 adult deaths in the Approximately 280,000 adult deaths in the

U.S. are related to obesity, second only to U.S. are related to obesity, second only to deaths caused by smoking.deaths caused by smoking.

27% of Americans don’t engage in any physical 27% of Americans don’t engage in any physical activity and another 28.2% aren’t regularly activity and another 28.2% aren’t regularly active.active.

10-12 nations in the developing world have 10-12 nations in the developing world have higher levels of obesity than the U.S.higher levels of obesity than the U.S.

Half of America is predicted to be obese by Half of America is predicted to be obese by 2010!2010!