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The Big Fat Truth

Is Obesity a Disease?

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

There is a condition that contributes to approximately 400,000 deaths each year, drains our economy of billions of dollars annually in direct and indirect medical expenses, disability, lost productivity and often contributes to displacement of family members. However, this condition is preventable and treatable in many aspects. What is this epidemic plaguing our country? Obesity.

According to a government report, 60 percent (about 170 million people) are overweight, and 25 percent (about 70 million people) are grossly overweight and at medical risk in this country. The factors contributing to the condition of obesity are genetic, environmental, behavioral, mental and emotional.

Typically, the guidelines for determining obesity include the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is a mathematical calculation used to determine whether a patient is overweight. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's body weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared or by using a conversion with pounds and inches squared.

This number can be misleading, however, for very muscular people or for pregnant or lactating women. Being obese and being overweight are not the same condition. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese, and a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. There are many factors that impact a person's health risk relative to their BMI such as waist size, smoking, types of foods eaten regularly, exercise and medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary heart disease.

"I've been plagued with obesity most of my 48 years," says Frank Costa of New Jersey, creator and adversary for the organization Take Off the Weight. "In addition, I had diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, stress and a family history of cardiovascular disease. Like most foodaholics, I succumbed each day to the sights, smells and colors of every food group. The oral fixation for food controlled my existence."

Want to see more?

• Plan Early to Head Off Obesity: 10 Tips for Daily Physical Activity
• Obesity Insights: 7 (Sometimes Surprising) Secrets for Stopping Childhood Obesity
• What's Eating Our Kids: An Emotional Component to Obesity?
• Controlled Infant Feeding and the Obesity Link: Should Parents Restrict How Much Their Baby Eats?
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!

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