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One-Third of World Now Overweight, With U.S. Leading the Way

  • June 13, 2017

The full extent of the obesity epidemic is finally being recognized and it is now clear that it is a global problem. CNN reports that 2 billion people are overweight or obese. The U.S. will probably be the unfortunate standard bearer for the foreseeable future with 13 percent of children and young adults classified as obese.  

What makes this epidemic so troubling is that the U.S. may in the worst shape, but this distinction is only a matter of gradation. For instance, over 1 in 3 Egyptian adults is obese. China has over 15 million obese children, and India is not far behind. Countries with low obesity rates, such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, both have obesity rates of only 1 percent, are few and far between. 

Obese people are generally at risk of developing life-threatening complications and diseases. Furthermore, an obese woman going through a pregnancy can develop additional complications apart from the ones normally associated with obesity, which ultimately affects the health of the fetus as well.

Unfortunately, much like adult obesity, childhood obesity in America is becoming more prevalent. This is because many parents believe their kids are average in size, but are actually obese. In addition, they may have difficulties speaking to their children about their growing weight, so the parents put it off until problems begin to show.

To make matters worse the number of morbidly obese people is increasing. Morbid obesity is defined as having a BMI higher than 40 (or 100 pounds heavier than the ideal weight), which can result in more severe health complications. In the United States, morbid obesity is a growing problem. It's estimated that more than 15.5 million citizens are morbidly obese, and that number is expected to grow higher in the coming years.

There are myriad causes of obesity. The most prevalent are a poor diet, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, medications, genetics and poor emotional health. The good news is that most of these issues can be addressed. 

Researchers have firmly debunked the myth that all calories are identical, and that to lose weight all you need to do is expend more calories than you consume. It is never too early to educate children about the importance of a proper diet. My nutrition plan is an excellent resource for this purpose. It is a step-by-step guide full of actionable advice. It is designed for beginners, experts and everyone in between. 

When it comes to exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with intermittent fasting is the most effective combo I know of. There is no better way to take control of your health than combining movement, exercise and a healthy diet. 
Stress can be extremely damaging to your health. One of the best ways to address stress is the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for over 5,000 years, but without the invasiveness of needles. EFT is an empowering multipurpose tool that can help cope with stress and positively impact your health.