Global Obesity Epidemic Fact:
Now only 18% of the total global population has normal fat levels.
“According to scientists, overfat children are likely to develop issues that are more dangerous than obesity such as heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Being overfat can also be linked to lung disease, gallbladder disease, gout, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and other disorders.”
Published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, researchers have coined a new term “overfat” to describe a condition where the amount of excess body fat is enough to increase the risk of adverse health conditions… which are costly!
WHAT’S CAUSING THIS?
The cause of this worsening global obesity epidemic is:
Cheaper processed foods
The price of fresh fruit and vegetables skyrocketing in many countries.
AND WHAT’S THE COST?
Figures vary but America already spends between $147 and $210 billion each year on preventable chronic diseases. Obese adults spend 42% more on direct medical costs than healthier folks. The fatter we become as a nation, the more it costs the country to treat obesity-related health issues.
“BUT I EXERCISE REGULARLY”
“The overfat pandemic has not spared those who exercise or even compete in sports. The overfat category includes normal-weight people with increased risk factors for chronic disease, such as high abdominal fat, and those with characteristics of a condition called normal-weight metabolic obesity,” said Philip Maffetone, lead author of Deeper than obesity: A majority of people is now overfat. Dr. Maffetone’s report is “the first effort to globally quantify those who are overfat versus overweight or obese.”
“This is a global concern because of its strong association with rising chronic disease and climbing healthcare costs, affecting people of all ages and incomes,” he concludes.
The Healthcare Costs of Obesity says:
“Obesity is one of the biggest drivers of preventable chronic diseases and healthcare costs in the United States.”
“Reducing obesity, improving nutrition and increasing activity can help lower costs through fewer doctor’s office visits, tests, prescription drugs, sick days, emergency room visits and admissions to the hospital and lower the risk for a wide range of diseases.”
Sci-News says:
“The well-documented obesity epidemic may merely be the tip of the overfat iceberg.”
In “Overfat and Underfat: New Terms and Definitions Long Overdue”, Dr Philip B. Maffetone and his research associates point out the alarming fact that as little as 14% of the world’s population have normal body-fat percentage.”
Overfat and Underfat: New Terms and Definitions Long Overdue says:
- “For the first time in human history, the number of obese people worldwide now exceeds those who are underweight. “
Contents of Dr Maffetone’s paper include:
-- Problems with BMI as a Measure of Obesity
-- Is Measurement of Waist Circumference a More Practical Solution for Clinical Identification of Metabolic Health Issues?
This is a well-documented paper with 96 references from reliable sources including the government’s PubMed.
ACTION STEPS
The global sourge of processed foods will bankrupt the world unless there are some massive changes.
And how likely is that?
I wouldn't bet on it.
But what you and I can do is help spread the word about the risks of global obesity epidemic and the eating of so much processed food… and we can also eat healthy. You’re with me on that?
Written by Gary Harvey and first published here
Photo credits: Stencil
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