2
Overview
Key Points
➤ Multiple factors contribute to the development of obesity and its
consequences.
• Biologic:
▶ Genetic, epigenetic, endocrine, immune, neurohormonal,
enterohormonal, neurobehavioral, and gut microbiota.
• Environmental:
▶ Cultural and social influences, emotional conditions, lifestyle,
toxins, and medications.
• Other:
▶ Infection, trauma, disability, and illness.
➤ From 1999–2000 through 2017–March 2020, US obesity prevalence
increased from 30.5% to 41.9%.
• During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased
f rom 4.7% to 9.2%.
• According to a projection analysis in 2019, ~50% of U.S. adults will
have obesity by 2030, with ~25% of adults having severe obesity
(body mass index [BMI] ≥35 kg/m
2
).
Definition
➤ "Obesity is defined as a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and
treatable multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease, wherein an
increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and
abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic,
biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences."