Obesity: Overview of Prevalence, Etiology, and Treatment

Extract

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic¹ that is characterized by excess adipose tissue and that contributes to numerous chronic diseases² and early mortality.^3,4 This epidemic has received both national and international attention because of obesity's detrimental impact on health, the enormous economic burden it imposes,⁵ and its increasing prevalence. The adverse health consequences associated with obesity include cardiovascular disease^6,7; stroke; type 2 diabetes mellitus⁸; hypertension; dyslipidemia; cancers of the breast, endometrium, prostate, and colon^9,10; gallbladder disease; osteoarthritis^11–13 respiratory problems, including asthma¹⁴ and sleep apnea¹⁵; and perhaps depression.^16,17 Furthermore, aerobic capacity and the ability to perform physical activities may be hindered by obesity,^18,19 and this may have implications for physical therapists' interventions. In addition to the increased morbidity and functional limitations associated with obesity, approximately 325,000 deaths in the United States each year among nonsmokers are attributable to obesity.²⁰ We will discuss the prevalence of obesity, its etiology in the context of our environment, and the currently available treatment modalities.