“The most prevalent, fatal, chronic, relapsing disorder of the 21st century.” (obesity.org, 2010)

An excess of adipose tissueHappens for different reasons

Currently 66% of Americans are overweight or obese.

cdc.gov

cdc.gov

cdc.gov

(Brownell, 2008)

Shorter, less healthy lives Increased economic costs Decreased productivity / earnings as an adult Disease: CVD, Type 2 Diabetes, asthma, etc Societal costs

Which is more prevalent?◦ Global obesity or global starvation?

◦ WHO has declared obesity to be one of the top ten global health problems. (Science, February 2003)

◦ Of all nations, the United States is number one with regard to obesity (Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World, Greg Critser, 2003)

Associated with almost every chronic disease.DiabetesHigh blood pressure / Heart disease / StrokeGallbladder diseaseSleep apneaCancer

Bigger portions Salty snacks increased from 132 calories to 225 calories Soft drinks increased from 144 calories to 193 calories Hamburgers increased from 389 calories to 486 calories.

American Heart Association

Fruits & VegetablesOnly 14% of children (6-19 y/o) meet the daily

recommendation for 2-4 daily servings of fruit.Only 20% get the recommended daily serving of

vegetables

Whole grainsAlthough at least two servings are recommended:

Children get less than one serving per day.

School Lunches

Found in: soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports beverages, energy drinks, and processed

foods.

American Heart Association

Approximately 40% of budgeted food money is spent away from home.

Americans’ spending on fast food:Increased from $60 billion to $110 billion in

the last 30 years.

American Heart Association

Although at least 30 minutes of moderate activity is recommended daily.

Schools have dropped PE classes Media has replaced activity Neighborhoods may be unsafe Work / Commute Technology

Energy IN needs to equal Energy OUT

BMR = body weight x 10◦ BMR x 0.10 = calories burned off in food digestion◦ BMR x 0.20 to 0.50 = calories burned off in

physical activity 0.20 for sedentary, 0.35 for slightly active, 0.40 for fairly

active and 0.50 for active.

Add all these numbers together for daily calorie needs

Example: 150 lb person◦ BMR = 150 x 10 = 1500◦ Digestion = 1500 x 0.10 = 150◦ Activity = 1500 x 0.40 = 600◦ Total daily calories: 1500 + 150 + 600 = 2250

“Children view an average of 3 ½ hours of television commercials per week, and each year they spend the equivalent of a week watching TV ads.” (CSPI, 2003)

About half of these ads are for food.

Distribution of Types of Food in TV Advertising Targeted to Children or Teens,

2005

34%

10%

28%

Candy and snacks

Fast food

Among all food ads targeted to children or teens, percent that are for:

4%4%

9%

7%

Sugared cereal

Sodas & soft drinks

Dine-in restaurants

Prepared foods

Dairy

Breads and pastries 2%

Fruit juices 1%

SOURCE: Kaiser Family Foundation, Food for Thought: Television Food Advertising to Children in the United States, March 2007.

“In 2000, obesity-related health care-costs totaled an estimated $117 billion.” (CDC, 2009)

Medical expenditures cost 29%-117% more than normal-weight employees. (CDC,

2009)

A lot of bias exists when it comes to those who are overweight or obese.

Health care workers Employment opportunities Media Children

Behavioral impact

Psychological impact

Social impact

Attribution Theory

Individual responsibility??? Or should we hold government, big

business responsible too?