Obesity is the accumulation of excess or abnormal fat that can affect health. In adults, the BMI (body mass index) is the index commonly used for weight and height ratings. A person’s BMI is measured by dividing their weight in kilograms against their height in meters squared. In adults, obesity is defined as follows by the WHO;
• BMI greater than or equal to 25 as overweight
• BMI equal to or greater than 30 as obesity
Age in children plays an important role in defining obesity. Children under the age of five are considered obese if their weight for height is greater than 3 standard deviations from the WHO standard median for child growth. The WHO Growth Reference considers children between the ages of 5 and 19 to be obese if their weight-for-height is above 2 standard deviations.
Facts about obesity
In 2016, around 13% of the world’s population considered themselves obese, while of these figures, 11% were men and 15% women. In the same year, about 41 million children under the age of 15 were obese, while 340 million children between the ages of 5 and 19 were obese. Obesity has long been considered a problem in high-income countries; however, now things are changing, as there has recently been a rise in obesity in low- and middle-income countries. For example, since 2000, there has been an increase in obesity-related cases in Africa, where the number has been increasing with an estimated 50% in children. In Asia, nearly half of children under the age of 5 were considered obese in the data collected in 2016. More deaths have also been linked to obesity and being overweight compared to deaths from underweight-related problems.
Causes of obesity
Obesity is mainly due to the asymmetry in energy levels between the calories consumed and those consumed. There has been a global increase in; (a) Intake of foods that are energy dense and high in fat (b) Increased physical latency due to the limited nature of the work structure, urbanization, and different forms of transportation. Environmental and social changes have brought about changes in both physical patterns and diet. The lack of support for actions in the health, agriculture, education and transport sectors has also added to some of the changes observed.
An increase in the BMI level results in a number of communicable diseases like;
• Cardiovascular disease (stroke and heart attack).
• Cancer (kidney and colon)
• Musculoskeletal disorders (osteoarthritis)
• Diabetes
The risk of disease has also been found to increase with an increase in BMI levels. Some disabilities and premature deaths have been linked to childhood obesity, where children grew to adulthood with the condition. Obese children also have respiratory disorders, hypertension and insulin resistance, increased fractures, and psychological effects. Obesity, being overweight, and other non-communicable diseases can be prevented. A supportive community and environment are key in shaping people’s choices. People can make the best decisions in terms of eating healthier foods and regular physical exercise, which will culminate in the reduction and prevention of obesity and the problem related to being overweight. At individual levels, you can limit your intake of fats and sugary foods increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. People must also participate in regular physical activities. In terms of promoting healthy diets, the food industry can also play an important role in the sense that it can guarantee;
• Processed foods are low in fat and sugar.
• All consumers can afford healthy food.
• Foods intended for children and adolescents have reduced levels of sugar, fat and salts.
• Support for regular physical activities.