The obesity epidemic in the United States is often in the news, but the growing obesity problem is not limited to the developed world. Excess weight gain is becoming a problem in Third World countries, too. Obesity carries health risks for the individual and can add to society's costs in caring for people who suffer medical problems linked to obesity.
Definition
Obesity is simply having an excessive amount of body fat. By plugging your height and weight into a formula, you can determine your body mass index, which is one popular measure of obesity. A normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. You are considered obese on this scale if your BMI is 30 or higher. Once you hit 40 on the scale, you're considered to have extreme, severe or morbid obesity.
Obesity Numbers
The Worldometers website keeps a running tally of the number of people considered obese in the world. It gets its numbers from the World Health Organization. In early 2011, Worldometers reported that there are 345 million people in the world with a BMI of 30 or more. It notes there are more than 1 billion people in the world considered overweight. According to the Census Bureau, there were approximately 6.9 billion people in the world at the start of 2011. Worldwide, that means approximately 5 percent of people are considered obese and 14 percent are overweight.
Obesity Costs
Worldometers also runs a tally of the amount of money spent on obesity-related diseases in the United States. In early 2011, the amount was well over $100 million and rising. The U.S. has the highest obesity statistics of 22 industrialized countries. Obesity may cause people to seek treatment for a host of problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and arthritis. It also increases the risk of certain forms of cancer.
Developing World
Obesity problems are not confined to wealthier, industrialized countries. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports that it's a bitter irony that as some developing countries are struggling to reduce hunger, some are also battling a rise in obesity. It finds that many people are eating larger quantities of cheap food to help them feel full, but they are missing out on important vitamins and minerals. The FAO reports iron and vitamin A deficiencies are especially common.
Warnings
There are severe health risks associated with obesity. People who carry an excessive amount of body fat are more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. People who have a BMI of 40 or more are especially likely to develop serious health problems. Even a modest reduction in weight can help reduce your health risks. If you are obese, consult with a doctor to find the best combination of diet and exercise to help you lose weight and improve your health.
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