The Obesity Epidemic
Morbid Obesity Is A Growing Problem
Obesity has been with us for centuries and, until recently, it has not been seen as a significant problem. Today however, as obesity continues to rise alarming in the West, it has become a problem of quite major proportion.
In the United States alone nearly two-thirds of adults are now classed as being overweight and half of these (more than 72 million people) are obese.
Of most concern however is the growing number of people suffering from morbid obesity, with its associated pressure on medical facilities and ever rising cost. Indeed it is estimated that obesity now costs in the region of $120 billion a year, making it comparable to the economic cost of cigarette smoking.
History, particularly that of Europe and the Mediterranean, shows that obesity was viewed previously in a very different light, with obese women in particular often being seen as possessing magical powers and playing a central role in many ritual ceremonies.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries obesity was often seen as a symbol of wealth and of high social status and increasingly began to signify an individual with a "lust for life".
As we moved into the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century obesity was frequently seen as indicating a warm and dependable personality and a "jolly" spirit.
In modern Western culture however an obese individual is no longer seen as an affluent or fun loving figure, but rather as a gluttonous (and thus somewhat evil) figure, who is often thought to be lazy and stupid.
Whatever the general view of obesity, one thing is certainly true; obesity, and in particular morbid obesity, has become something of a pandemic and, while rates remain low in many Eastern countries, even here, rates are beginning to rise.
The reasons for this rise in morbid obesity are many and varied but center largely on the fact that many people are now far less active than they used to be, preferring to sit on the touchline and watch sport rather than get out and play themselves, or to jump in the car when they need a bottle of milk or a newspaper, rather than walk down to the corner shop.
In addition, the drop in the cost of food as a proportion of income and the ready availability of, and sophisticated marketing for, a huge variety of fast and convenience foods makes it a simple and often pleasurable experience to consume far more calories than we are burning off each day.
Today's answer to the problem of morbid obesity is weight loss surgery, which itself is of course becoming an increasingly attractive options as technology advances and open surgery is being replaced by what many see as relatively simple "keyhole" alternatives. The popularity of surgery as a solution is also helped along by a growing list of celebrities taking this particular route.
Sooner or later we will have to decide on a course of action to counter the growth in morbid obesity by tackling the root cause of the problem rather than simply promoting what can only ever be a short-term solution.
More articles about obesity:
Are Genetics Simply Another Excuse To Explain Obesity? - Research has identified a possible genetic cause for the failure of some people to lose weight after gastric bypass surgery but could this simply be used as an excuse for some people for not tackling the problem of obesity?
The Advisability Of Gastric Bypass Surgery In Teens - Although obesity in teens is rising and surgery is increasingly being seen as one solution, many surgeons are nervous about performing gastric bypass surgery on adolescent patients. A New study may however change this situation.
Concern over obesity in pregnancy - The Press Association
21 Jul 2010 at 11:45am
CBS News
Concern over obesity in pregnancy
The Press Association
The UCD centre for Human Reproduction at Dublin's Coombe Hospital, which compiled the research, said the incidence of morbid obesity was high, ...
Provision needed for obese pregnant wom...
NHS to double spend on obesity surgery - WalesOnline
27 Jul 2010 at 2:15am
NHS to double spend on obesity surgery
WalesOnline
The extra cash could also help establish the nation's first specialist morbid obesity service, operating out of hospitals in Bridgend and Swansea. ...
South Wales to have obesity surgery centreWalesO...
Losing weight to gain confidence - Times of India
28 Jul 2010 at 2:09pm
Losing weight to gain confidence
Times of India
Frantically fighting morbid obesity for years, Khan, who is from Lonar in Buldhana, arrived in Pune and underwent bariatric surgery in May at a city ...
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