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The word “epidemic” is typically used to describe diseases such as AIDS, SARS, and the Pandemic Flu; however, there is currently an ongoing epidemic in the Unites States that is caused not by viruses, bacteria, or bioterrorism, but simply through human nature. This advancing disorder is obesity, a condition that has turned into a national public health crisis during the past three decades in the United States. Obesity is the fastest growing epidemic in the United States, and one of the most serious chronic diseases of our time. Currently, as of 2007, two-thirds of all American adults are either obese or overweight (CDC, 2007).
The definition of obesity varies depending on what you read, however, in general, it is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount of body fat. The normal amount of body fat, necessary for storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other bodily functions, is between 25-30% in women and 18-23% in men (Beresford et al., 2006). Women with over 30% body fat and men with over 25% body fat are considered obese. Obesity is most commonly evaluated using the body mass index, or BMI, calculated by dividing an individual’s weight by the square of his/her height. Other methods of measuring obesity include waist circumference, skin fold thickness (skin calipers), ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Being obese or overweight is a major risk factor for extremely serious health problems such as Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, Type 2 diabetes, Coronary heart disease, Stroke, Gallbladder disease, Osteoarthritis, Sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and even endometrial, breast, and colon cancer. Overweight and obese individuals, especially children, are very likely to suffer social stigmatization, discrimination, and depression (Beresford et al., 2006).
After cigarette smoking, obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. According to the American Obesity Association,...