Weight Management and Related Concerns
Obesity is a serious health epidemic that targets one in four Americans. It is estimated that more than 93 million Americans are obese, with that number predicted to climb to 120 million in the next five years. Close to 130 million American adults are overweight, with nearly 62 percent of women and 67 percent of men being overweight.
Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat, defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control with dieting. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and other related health problems.
Risks Associated With Obesity
There are more than 30 medical conditions that are associated with obesity. Individuals who are obese are at risk of developing one or more of these serious medical conditions, causing poor health and/or early death.
The most prevalent obesity-related diseases include:
- High Blood Pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
Genetics
The causes of obesity are many, but there is little doubt that genetic factors play an important role in its etiology. Humans carry probably dozens of genes that are directly related to body size. Identification of such genes is important, and several types of studies must be performed to address this. The fact that the etiology of obesity is so complex underscores the need for better understanding of genetic determinants as a basis for more rational interventions to treat obesity.
Related Links
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000715/419.html
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
Council for Responsible Nutrition
http://www.crnusa.org
Joint Health and Related Concerns
Facts about Arthritis
Number of Americans with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms:
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1985 - 35 million
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1990 - 37.9 million
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1998 - nearly 43 million (1 in 6 people)
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2005 – 66 million (nearly 1 in 3 adults) — 42.7 million have doctor-diagnosed arthritis and 23.2 million people live with chronic joint symptoms, but have not been diagnosed by a doctor
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Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15.
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Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability.
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Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans.
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Arthritis results in 39 million physician visits and more than a half million hospitalizations.
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Costs to the U.S. economy totals more than $86.2 billion annually.
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Arthritis affects people in all age groups including nearly 300,000 children.
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Baby boomers are now at prime risk. More than half those affected are under age 65.
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Half of those Americans with arthritis don’t think anything can be done to help them.
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Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases that affect areas in or around joints.
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Arthritis strikes women more often than men.
The disease also can affect other parts of the body. Arthritis causes pain, loss of movement and sometimes swelling. Some types of arthritis are:
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Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis.
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Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease in which the joint lining becomes inflamed as part of the body’s immune system activity. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women.
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Gout, which affects mostly men. It is usually the result of a defect in body chemistry. This painful condition most often attacks small joints, especially the big toe. Fortunately, gout almost always can be completely controlled with medication and changes in diet.
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Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow together.
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Juvenile arthritis, a general term for all types of arthritis that occur in children. Children may develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or childhood forms of lupus, ankylosing spondylitis or other types of arthritis.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), a serious disorder that can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues throughout the body.
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Scleroderma, a disease of the body’s connective tissue that causes a thickening and hardening of the skin.
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Fibromyalgia, in which widespread pain affects the muscles and attachments to the bone. It affects mostly women.
Related links
American College of Rheumatology
http://www.rheumatology.org
Arthritis Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org
