According to a research article in the Lancet on November 14, 2024, “The USA has one of the largest populations with overweight and obesity in the world.” In fact, it has become a pandemic that is getting worse.
People who are overweight or obese should not be criticized or made fun of any more than anyone with an elevated health risk. However, we should also not ignore the negative health consequences.
As the article points out, “the persistently high and continuously rising obesity trend has resulted in a profound slowing in health improvements.” In fact, “the US population does not experience the same level of health gain as their high-income counterparts in other countries.”
The research model predicts a significant increase in overweight and obesity in the US during the next two decades. In the year 2050, it is predicted that 260 million Americans will be overweight or obese.
That means that 43.1 million children, teens and young adults (age 5 to 24) will either be overweight or obese. That’s 6.6 million more than today. Adults age 25 and above will have an increase of overweight and obesity by 41 million people. This results in over 80% of the adult population being overweight or obese!
As the research team points out, “Over the past several decades, the overweight and obesity epidemic in the USA has resulted in a significant health and economic burden.” We now know that obesity is linked to over 200 coexisting health disorders.
This epidemic is serious and needs a population-based approach to make the necessary difference. Individuals can and should learn all they can about obesity and current treatment approaches. Willpower is not the solution; weight gain and weight loss are complex processes that go beyond what and how much you eat and exercise.
Most of this blog is based on the Lancet article noted above.
Peter M. Hartmann,
Family Medicine & Psychiatry
