Abstract
Obesity may be defined as an abnormal state of health in which there is an excess of body fat. Morbid obesity is the most serious form of obesity and generally correlates with a body weight that is more than 70% above ideal body or a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m2. BMI represents the relationship between height and weight and is calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2). Based on US 1999–2000 population data, 64.5% of US adults are overweight (BMI >25), 30.5% are obese (BMI >30), and 4.7% are morbidly obese (BMI >40). 1 The prevalence of obesity has increased steadily over the past several decades and obesity has become an important public health problem. From 1960 to 2000, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 13.4% to 30.5%—a relative increase of more than 50%. 1 In the 21st century, obesity is predicted to surpass cigarette smoking as the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that tobacco was responsible for 435, 00 deaths and poor diet and physical inactivity were responsible for 400, 000 deaths in the year 2000. Healthcare costs associated with obesity are astronomical. Annual direct costs for treating obesity-related illnesses have been estimated at nearly $51.6 billion and indirect costs are estimated at $47.6 billion. 2 Furthermore, the annual US expenditure on weight reduction products and services exceeds $30 billion. 3.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Clinical Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Disease |
Publisher | CRC Press |
Pages | 609-619 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781040140123 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781556426971 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2024 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine