Blog #3- Obesity is getting bigger

Kerris McKoy
February 5, 2011
1:00AM

Obesity is taking its toll on our society. More than half a billion people are obese, this number has doubled since 1980. The spread of obesity continues to trickle down from wealthy nations into poorer nations. Obesity has become a problem globally and continues to the main factor of heart disease. People who are obese (by definition) are people who are very fat or overweight. Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London and Harvard University expresses "overweight and obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are no longer Western problems or problems of wealthy nations." As obesity becomes an epidemic that impacts beyond American horizons, it’s making its peak in poorer nations as well. Being obese causes many risk factors in one’s health. Obesity is the main cause of heart disease, which is making a worldly impact as well. Along with the risk of heart disease, one may suffer from high blood pressure, arthritis, and some cancers can be associated with obesity. Ezzati explains that compared to the United States, countries such as Africa and Europe have current issues with the rise of obesity. The United States spends an approximate $147 billion a year for treating obesity-related diseases. In Europe half of the adult population is obese, which causes tension because of a tight health care budget. As said before blood pressure is prevalent with people who are obese. In East and West Africa blood pressure levels are highest in these Baltic countries. Obesity can be prevented and treatment by educating people about the many risks of being overweight. By educating citizens about proper nutrition and how to balance a healthy diet and exercise regularly, obesity can be prevented.