Debate Over Obesity Epidemic
Is obesity an epidemic or not? Patrick Basham and John Luik believe that the problem is less clear cut, while other researchers say that obesity is a growing problem. According to Basham and Luik, the concept of obesity as an epidemic is subject to a) the definition of normal and b) the association with morbidity and mortality. Basham and Luik argue that as populations grow healthier and more prosperous, they live longer and gain in height and weight. They also debate over the term “epidemic” stating that according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, there were no significant changes in the prevalence of overweight or obesity among US adults or children. For example, they don’t consider it “significant” to have an average weight gain of .26 kg/year over the past 42 years.
Furthermore, they state that morbidity and mortality issues are at odds with the term “epidemic’. Using the data from the 1997 National Institutes for Health task force, they state that the task force found that the death risks were the same for men with a body mass index (BMI) of 19-21 as for men who were overweight and obese at 29-31 BMI. They went on to argue that the association of overweight and obesity with higher risks of disease is equally unclear as increases in overweight and obesity have been accompanied by falls in US cardiovascular mortality and mortality from coronary heart disease and stroke as well as in decreases in prevalence of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, Jeffrey and Sherwood argue for the “epidemic” of obesity stating that the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicates a jump from a prevalence of obesity that was 6.5% among 6-11 year olds and 5% among 12-17 year olds in 1976-80 to 19%and 17% respectively in 2003-4.
They argue that it is well established that there is a relationship between excess weight and high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer and overweight /obesity prevalence.
Jeffrey and Sherwood state that perhaps the decline in heart disease and high blood pressure has fallen due to better treatments for these diseases. They further state that Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 1995-2004) show that during the period where the prevalence of obesity and overweight increased by nearly 24%, the prevalence of diabetes increased by 76% and the number of visits to doctors for diabetes related issues more than doubled.
In summary, despite the debate between these four researchers, a large body of scientific evidence exists that overnutrition and obesity are a major global health problem. With the ongoing rise in obesity and limited treatment options, we can only hope that scientists are wrong in their projections for increased mortality and morbidity resulting from an obesity epidemic or that development of more effective public health measures to deal with the problem are forthcoming.
References:
Basham P and Luik J. 2008. Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? Yes. British Medical Journal. 336: 244.
Centers for Disease Control. Overweight and Obesity. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity
Flegal, Katherine M.2006. International Journal of Epidemiology. 35(1):72-74.
Jeffry, RW. And Sherwood NE. 2008. Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? No. British Medical Journal. 336:245.
About the Author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
