Unpacking Obesity
Hot-button and often emotionally-fraught, obesity is more than a cosmetic concern.
What is obesity?
According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity is defined as “a complex disease involving having too much body fat.” Obesity is often diagnosed by calculating one’s Body Mass Index, or BMI, and BMIs of 30.0 and higher are considered within obesity range. (Though your BMI score does not directly measure your body fat, for most people, this score provides a decent estimate.)
You may consider obesity primarily a cosmetic concern, but it can be a true medical problem for individuals struggling with weight management. Obesity regularly increases the risk of a variety of other health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, liver disease, and sleep apnea.
While genetics, hormones, and metabolism play a role in determining one’s body weight, it’s very common for Americans’ diets to be too caloric while leading lives that are, in comparison, less physically demanding.
On the incline
Over the past several decades, the rate of obesity in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past several decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity among adults in the United States was 42.4% in 2019-2020, meaning nearly half of all adults in the country qualified as obese.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity “costs the US health care system nearly $173 billion a year,” with those qualifying as obese paying higher annual medical care costs by about $2,500 as of 2021. In addition to directly-related medical costs (including in- and outpatient treatment) and prescription drugs, indirect costs such as lost productivity due to work absenteeism and disability contribute to the overall number calculated in aggregate obesity-related costs on the US health care system.
What we mean by “healthy habits”
Several non-genetic factors can contribute to the high prevalence of obesity, and can be important to monitor or keep in mind. Some of these include:
Poor diet
Today, we’re surrounded by ultra-processed foods. Excessive consumption of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and beverages in oversized portions is linked to weight gain and obesity. Prolonged abuse of over-processed food and drink in one’s diet can lead to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, which can be a precursor to obesity and similarly related health problems.
Sedentary lifestyle
Physical inactivity is another major contributing factor to obesity. Many Americans lead sedentary lifestyles between spending long hours sitting at desks and watching television or using electronic devices at home. Lack of regular physical activity can lead to weight gain and contribute to the development of obesity and chronic diseases. According to the Mayo Clinic, high screen time is strongly associated with weight gain.
Bioaccumulation of toxins
Mayo Clinic notes that the microbiome of your gut can contribute to both weight loss and gain. From food, self-care items, home goods, and more, more and more chemicals make it into our homes and bodies each year. Exposure to these chemicals can result in negative effects, one of which is the same metabolic dysfunction that leads to obesity.
In Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things, authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie examine chemical pollution from commonplace work and home items, and may help shed some light on common consumer concerns. (We have a copy of Rubber Duck in office, free to borrow or peruse at your next visit!)
We’re here to help.
Our ultimate goal is to help you on your journey to feeling your very best. We know from experience that seeing and feeling results is a huge motivating factor, and empowers you on your continued wellness journey. If you’re concerned about your weight and wellness not seeing results, we’re here for you.
Call today to schedule a complimentary consult or book a functional medicine consult online and let us join you on your wellness journey!