[Kyle TuttleParticipant]

Obesity is becoming one of the most well known and most talked about epidemics of our generation. Roughly twenty years ago, over 33 % of the American population was estimated to be overweight or obese(1). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage concerning obesity, an estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity(2). Obesity is certainly related to an increase mortality risk, or an increase in risk of death. Although obesity may not directly cause someone to die, it does increase one’s risk for many conditions and diseases that may directly increase the risk of death. These conditions include diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure, coronary heat disease and some cancers(1). Some of the harmful effects of obesity may also be related to how fat is distributed within the body(1). For example, fat tissue located around the abdominal region has been linked as a possible risk for insulin resistance and diabetes. Diabetes alone is becoming a concern not only for Americans but also around the globe. In summary, yes, obesity does have a role in increasing one’s risk of death through different cause-related relationships.

Now for the good news! Physical activity is often associated inversely with the same risks of death related to obesity(3). In other words, physical activity may lead to a decrease in obesity, which may have a role in decreasing some of the above-mentioned risks, like diabetes. In multiple studies concerning diabetes, individuals who were physically active showed a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes than those individuals who did not have similar habits(3).

In conclusion, obese or overweight individuals may have an increased risk of death attributable to many different chronic diseases related to being overweight. This problem may curbed through good eating habits and physical activity!

Sources used:
1- Solomon CG, Manson JE. Obesity and mortality: a review of the epidemiologic data. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997;66(4):1044S-1050S.
2- http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/obesity/fact_consequences.html
3- Blair SN, Brodney S. Effects of physical inactivity and obesity on morbidity and mortality: current evidence and research issues. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(11 Suppl):S646-62.

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