The term overweight refers to when one has a condition of excessive fat deposits in the body. Obesity, on the other hand, is a chronic disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity can be very dangerous and can lead to increased risks of diabetes and heart disease. Obesity also affects one’s overall health and quality of life.  

   The way to tell if someone is overweight or obese can be defined by measuring a person’s height and weight then calculating their body mass index (BMI). The body mass index is the best way to measure and mark fatness to help diagnose obesity. For adults, an overweight BMI is equal to or greater than 25 and an obese BMI is equal to or greater than 30.  

   The world health organization states, “In 2022, 2.5 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight, including over 890 million adults who were living with obesity. This corresponds to 43% of adults aged 18 years and over (43% of men and 44% of women) who were overweight; an increase from 1990, when 25% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight. About 16% of adults aged 18 years and older worldwide were obese in 2022. The worldwide prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1990 and 2022. In 2022, an estimated 37 million children (about twice the population of New York) under the age of 5 years were overweight.” 

   Obesity is the result of an imbalance of energy intake and energy expenditure. This means humans are consuming way more than their bodies can break down and actively use for energy. There are also many other factors that play into obesity. Industrialization, cultural influences, socioeconomic status and genetic factors all play a role. 

   Common health consequences obesity can inflict are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory diseases and digestive disorders, while non-health consequences may include psychological effects. It can affect overall performance of life, heightened stigma and increase discrimination and bullying.  

   So, what can we do to help battle the statistics of obesity?  

   People can encourage children to exercise more, get more physical activity, sleep more and eat healthier and fuel their bodies with nutritious options. Also, parents could minimize screen time in their kids’ lives. This would force them to play and spend more time moving around. People can also limit their unnatural sugar consumption and replace sweets with fruits. Adults can minimize alcohol consumption, since alcoholic beverages can induce weight gain.  

   When someone is diagnosed with obesity, the world of healthcare should provide prevention and healthcare services to these people. They should also monitor their lipids and blood pressure to ensure they are still healthy.  

   There should be supportive environments and communities that encourage healthy diets and regular physical activity. This would be a great way to begin stopping the rise in obesity.  

   Obesity is a societal issue, not a personal issue. This is because behaviors conducive to developing obesity can be influenced by societal and environmental factors beyond an individual’s control. For example, availability of healthy food at good prices may influence food purchasing behaviors. 

   Also, access to recreational spaces may affect someone’s choice to participate in physical activity. We as a community and society must take steps together to stop this epidemic. Overall, obesity is dangerous and there are steps society can take to help reduce the dangers.