90% of American men are overfat
Researchers reported earlier this year in the journal Frontiers of Public Health that as much as 76 percent of the world’s population may not just be fat- but they are overfat.
What is overfat
The term overfat describes the existence of excess body fat that can impair health, and might include even normal-weight non-obese people. Excess body fat, especially abdominal fat, is associated with increased risk of chronic illness, increased morbidity and mortality, and reduced quality of life.
Researchers Philip Maffetone, Ivan Rivera-Dominguez and Paul B. Laursen reported earlier this year in the journal Frontiers of Public Health that up to 76 percent of the world’s population might be overfat. Now these same scientists have focused their efforts on data from 30 of the leading developed countries, with even more alarming findings.
Consequences of being overfat
Being overweight or obese can have serious consequences for an individual’s health. Some of the potential consequences of being overfat include:
- Increased risk of heart disease: Excess weight is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.
- Increased risk of diabetes: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood.
- Increased risk of certain cancers: Excess weight is associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.
- Increased risk of high blood pressure: Obesity is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage.
- Increased risk of stroke: Excess weight is a significant risk factor for stroke, a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
- Increased risk of osteoarthritis: Obesity can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that can cause pain and disability.
- Increased risk of sleep apnea: Obesity is a major risk factor for sleep apnea, a condition that causes disruptions in breathing during sleep.
By maintaining a healthy weight, individuals can reduce their risk of developing these and other serious health problems.
Does your waist measure over half your height?
If so, you might be part of the international overfat pandemic. A recent article, released in Frontiers in Public Health, suggests it to be even more common in developed countries where up to 90 percent of adult males and 50 percent children may struggle with this condition. In the top overfat countries, 80 percent of women fall under this classification.
The issue is particularly pervasive in the English-speaking countries of the United States and New Zealand, however also in Iceland as well as Greece where people are normally thought to be healthy. This trend might be bad news for developing countries also, because they have followed the pattern of developed nations in the growing overfat pandemic.
Overweight statistics
Men in the United States are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to women. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 70.7% of men in the United States are overweight or obese, compared to about 56.3% of women. This gender disparity in obesity rates is a significant public health concern, as excess weight is associated with a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Factors contributing to obesity
There are several factors that contribute to the high prevalence of obesity among men in the United States. One factor is diet, as men are more likely than women to consume diets high in unhealthy foods and beverages, such as fast food, soda, and processed snacks. Another factor is physical inactivity, as men are less likely than women to engage in regular physical activity.
In addition, societal and cultural factors may also play a role in men’s obesity rates. For example, men may be more likely to feel pressure to conform to certain body standards, and may be more likely to use unhealthy weight loss strategies, such as diet pills or steroids, to achieve these standards.
Government solve men overweight problem
There are several ways that governments can address the problem of obesity among men:
- Promote healthy behaviors: Governments can promote healthy behaviors by implementing policies that encourage healthy eating and physical activity. This can include initiatives such as providing access to healthy food options, promoting physical activity in schools and communities, and supporting initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles.
- Implement taxes on unhealthy foods: Governments can implement taxes on unhealthy foods and beverages, such as soda and processed snacks, to discourage consumption and reduce the risk of obesity.
- Regulate advertising: Governments can regulate advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages, particularly those targeted towards children and adolescents, in order to reduce the influence of marketing on food choices.
- Provide education and resources: Governments can provide education and resources to help individuals make healthier choices, such as providing information on healthy eating and physical activity, and supporting initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles.
- Invest in research: Governments can invest in research to better understand the causes of obesity and to develop more effective interventions to address the problem.
By implementing these strategies, governments can help to reduce the burden of obesity on men’s health and improve overall health outcomes for men.
To address the high rates of obesity among men in the United States, it is important to promote healthy behaviors, such as eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity. It is also important to address societal and cultural factors that may contribute to unhealthy weight gain and to provide support and resources for men who are struggling with obesity. By addressing these issues, we can help to reduce the burden of obesity on men’s health and improve overall health outcomes for men in the United States.