Obesity and Overweight Sourcebook, Second Edition

Obesity and overweight are serious health conditions caused by the increase in the size and amount of fat cells. These conditions are becoming increasingly common among U.S. families, affecting the nation’s overall health, economy, and productivity. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults was 41.9 percent during 2017–March 2020. During the same period, severe obesity among U.S. adults was 9.2 percent. Many adults with obesity have serious chronic diseases; for example, 58 percent of U.S. adults with obesity have high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease, and approximately 23 percent of U.S. adults with obesity have diabetes. However, proper lifestyle and diet plans can control obesity and overweight to a great extent.

Obesity and Overweight Sourcebook, Second Edition begins with an overview of the medical model of obesity. It also provides information about the social and moral aspects of the obesity epidemic. It discusses the causes of obesity, including genetics, hormone dysfunction, dietary factors, lifestyle, and socioeconomic and environmental factors. The book covers the prevalence of obesity and overweight in the United States and highlights the economic burden of obesity. It discusses the health risks associated with obesity and overweight, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, asthma, cancer, and more. The social and psychological effects of obesity are also explored. The book provides comprehensive information about the prevention and treatment of obesity, including public-health strategies, dietary therapy, physical activity, behavior strategies, and medical devices for weight management. It concludes with a glossary of terms related to obesity and overweight and a directory of resources for further help and support.

Part 1: The Phenomena of Obesity and Overweight provides an overview of the medical model of obesity, focusing on adult and childhood obesity, as well as obesity in the elderly. It also explores the social and moral constructs of the obesity epidemic, including body dissatisfaction, weight bias, and obesity stigma in health care.

Part 2: Possible Causes of Obesity examines the genetics of obesity, hormone dysfunction, and various dietary factors contributing to obesity. It also addresses lifestyle factors, such as sedentary behavior, sleep deprivation, and the effects of smoking and alcohol on body mass index (BMI). Psychological aspects, including depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional eating, are discussed, along with trends in food consumption and socio-economic and environmental causes of obesity.

Part 3: Obesity and Overweight in the United States: Prevalence and Screening provides statistics on obesity and overweight in the United States. It discusses body mass index (BMI) and other assessment techniques for body composition. It also covers surveillance systems for tracking obesity and examines obesity in minority populations and people with disabilities.

Part 4: Diseases and Metabolic Disorders Associated with Obesity explores the relationship between metabolic rates and obesity, linking obesity with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and other health conditions. It discusses specific conditions such as congenital leptin deficiency, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer, and the effect of obesity on women’s reproductive health.

Part 5: Social and Psychological Consequence of Obesity delves into the emotional toll of obesity, including body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, weight bias, and obesity stigma. It examines the influence of media on adolescent body weight and addresses the topic of discussing weight issues.

Part 6: Prevention and Treatment of Obesity offers strategies for preventing and treating obesity, including public-health strategies, dietary therapy, physical activity, and behavior therapy. It discusses medical devices, pharmacotherapy, and weight-loss surgery, and debunks common nutrition myths.

Part 7: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of terms related to obesity and overweight and a directory of organizations offering support and information.