Editorial

Obesity: An Epidemic

Authors: Ronald C. Hamdy, MD, FRCP, FACP

Abstract

More than half of the adults in the United States today are either overweight or obese, compared with about 25% in the 1960s. 1,2 The prevalence of obesity increased by 5.6% between 2000 and 2001 alone. Obesity is associated with increased mortality risk, and statistics show the potential reduced life expectancy 4 and years of life lost (YLL) at various levels of increased body weight. 5 The body mass index (BMI), rather than just the body weight, should be taken into account. It can be calculated by one of the following equations:


BMI = body weight (in kg) ÷ height in m2


or


(Body weight in lbs ÷ height in in2) × 703

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