The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation 2010

Obesity poses a major public health challenge. Each year, obesity contributes to an estimated 112,000 preventable deaths. Obese adults are at increased risk for many serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and its complications, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and respiratory problems, as well as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Children with a high body mass index (BMI), an indicator of excess body weight, are more likely than those with a normal BMI to have insulin resistance (which can lead to diabetes), high blood pressure, and unhealthy levels of fats and other lipids. Furthermore, obese children often become obese adults; some studies have found that even 2- to 5-year-olds with a high BMI are likely to become obese adults.8 Besides suffering from physical illnesses, obese adults and children also may experience social stigmatization and discrimination, as well as psychological problems.

This document highlights the trends, health consequences, and causes related to the obesity epidemic. Given the multiple social changes behind the epidemic, this brief also proposes health-promoting actions that can be taken by multiple sectors of society.