Obesity problem is not exaggerated

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

There is some controversy over whether there really is an obesity epidemic
We hear a great deal about the issue of obesity, how it is on the increase and the serious implications this has for public health. This view has been challenged by Paul Campos, a law professor at the University of Colorado. He says the obesity epidemic is an illusion driven by cultural and political rather than health factors.

Now we have a counter-attack - from doctors at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. They say that the word epidemic is not confined to infectious disease. The figures show upward trend in weight of several pounds in many populations that has reached epidemic proportions. Most studies also show a link between body mass index and mortality - so there is a serious health issue here. Weight loss, while not easy, is worth promoting because it does imporve health. In short, obesity is a major preventable cause of disease and death and should be treated as such. Overweight persons retire earlier, are more likely to be disabled, and suffer a wide range of health problems like cancer, diabetes, gallbladder disease and arthritis.

Source
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 31st January 2006

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