A FEW STATISTICAL POINTS ON OBESITY

World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.
A simple measure used to classify weight in adults is body mass index (BMI).  BMI is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2). WHO identifies overweight when BMI is greater than or equal to 25; and obesity when BMI is greater or equal to 30.
In Asians, the cut-offs for overweight (≥23.0kg/m2) and obesity (≥25.0kg/m2) are lower than WHO criteria due to risk factors and morbidities.

 

Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975!
Currently, 72 percent of men and 63 percent of women are overweight or obese (people who are overweight have a BMI of 25 to 29, people who are obese have a BMI of 30 or greater!!
In 2020 it was projected that 83 percent of men and 72 percent of women would be overweight or obese!
In 2019, 38 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese!
In India, more than 135 million individuals  are affected by obesity!

Obesity is a predisposing factor for diseases like diabetes ,hypertension, dyslipidemia ,fatty liver ,heart attack, stroke , musculoskeletal disorders (osteoarthritis)and some cancers .Obesity during childhood causes high chances of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in later life .
Increased consumption of high calorie junk food and sedentary lifestyle are the main reasons behind the rapidly growing problem of obesity .

and .. most importantly……

OBESITY IS PREVENTABLE…!! So make the right choices regarding food and exercises….

If you are already overweight or obese, take proper consultation as to what changes can be made to your lifestyle and whether you may be benefitted with medication..

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