An obesity epidemic is threatening to tip the scales all over the globe, propelling a trend we have dubbed “globesity.” The U.S., in particular, continues to ignore the obvious health risks of maintaining a poor diet and lack of exercise, accounting for a disproportionate share of the globe’s overweight population.
- U.S. share – The U.S. outweighs the world when it comes to obesity. Some 244 million , or 13% of the world’s obese total of 1.9 billion, are found in the birthplace of fast food, despite the fact that the U.S. only accounts for 4% of the earth’s total population.
- Overweight – In 1960, 32% of U.S. adults 20-74 were considered overweight. By 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the figure had more than doubled to 74%.
- Obesity – Four out of 10, or 43% of U.S. adults 20+, are now considered obese or very obese, more than triple the 1960 finding of 13%.
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- Gender weight gain – CDC data shows the average weight for men rose dramatically — from 166 pounds (75 kg) in 1960 to 200 pounds (91 kg) in 2018. Women also gained weight, going from an average of 140 pounds (64 kg) in 1960 to 171 pounds (78 kg) in 2018.
- Body mass index (BMI) – Overweight is commonly defined as a body mass index of 25.0–29.9, while obesity is a BMI higher than or equal to 30.0, and extreme obesity is a 40.0 or greater BMI. Body mass index is expressed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Worldwide, the proportion of adults with a BMI of 25.0 or greater increased between 1980 and 2013 from 29% to 37% in men, and from 30% to 38% in women.
- Caloric intake – Globesity began its unflattering ascent in the early 1970s. Although Americans are as active today as they were in 1970, they consumed 2,169 calories per day that year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By 2008 daily intake was 2,674 calories, a 23% increase. Those 505 extra calories each day can quickly add 50 pounds in a year.
- Healthcare service implications – The globesity scourge is rippling through all industry and government sectors. A Las Vegas ambulance company had to adopt larger vehicles, equipped with heavy-duty equipment, to handle the growing girth of obese patients. That may be welcome news to overweight Sin City residents, but patients who exceed air ambulance limits are not so lucky. They’re increasingly denied emergency transportation due to an inability of helicopters being able to lift off.
27% of army recruits are unable to enlist because they are overweight.”
— The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) - Armed services implications – More startling is the report that 27% of army recruits are unable to enlist because they are overweight. Those are overweight, young adults.
- Child obesity – Not surprisingly, children are not immune from the adverse effects of overeating. A study lead by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) shows that in 2013, 24% of boys and 23% of girls worldwide were suffering from varying degrees of obesity. Persons under age 20 make up 30% of the 244 million consider overweight in the U.S., according to Marie Ng, Assistant Professor of Global Health at IHME. This troubling finding is responsible for the growing number of people susceptible to different kinds of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Belly fat – Even belly fat can be fatal if left unchecked. Dr. Paul Poirier of the Laval University Institute of Cardiology says males with excess stomach fat are less likely to outlive those that do not have belly fat.
Unless drastic measures are taken, or innovative solutions are developed, globesity will continue to add many pounds, or kilos, to the world’s midriff. Every nation is seeing an upsurge in overweight people due to the global popularity of the western diet. Without a proper application of menu and activity, humanity is in danger of falling off the scales.
