The Epidemic of Obesity

Obesity is the accumulation of abnormally large amounts of energy stores in the form of adipose tissue. There are many factors that predispose some individuals to obesity. 

Its cause is multifactorial and includes genetics, hormones, environment, medical and possibly even infectious factors.  It is important to know that obesity is a disease, not a moral weakness.

Since the 1980’s the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults has more than doubled.  During this same time interval, the obesity rates among children aged 6-19 years have more than tripled.  While many factors have been implicated to cause obesity, the single greatest risk factor for obesity in adulthood is obesity in childhood.  More children die of complications from obesity today than from gun violence.  In fact, this new “XXL” generation may actually face a shorter life expectancy than their parents due to the comorbidities of obesity.