THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OBESITY

The Epidemiology of Obesity



The Epidemiology of Obesity

Introduction

Epidemiology studies, especially the cause-effect relationship between exposure and disease. The diseases do not occur randomly, have causes, many social, which can be avoided. Therefore, many diseases could be prevented if the causes were known. Epidemiological methods have been crucial in identifying numerous etiologic factors, in turn, have justified the formulation of health policies aimed at prevention of diseases, injuries and premature deaths. To carry out this study in epidemiology studies and describes the health and diseases occurring in a given population, taking into account a number of "patterns of disease ',' time 'in which it arises and is most common place in which there have been cases of people ill and more likely to suffer.

On the psychological level, obesity can completely disrupt the life of a person who is obese; they are often isolated and subjected to a real social stigma, which makes it difficult in any kind of socialising. In particular, overweight children tend to develop an uneasy relationship with their bodies and with their peers, resulting in isolation, which often translates into more sedentary habits. Obesity is defined as the pathological consequence of excessive cumulative mule fat, resulting in turn from a positive energy balance. The main difficulties in assessing the magnitude of excess weight the different criteria for graduation, which is reflected in the various work and studies. It constitutes a major health problem, due to high frequency and its role as a risk factor for many diseases.

In general, a key issue for epidemiological studies is the case definition criteria and procedures for validation and standardisation, especially when comparing results with other studies using similar methodology. Obesity is a condition characterised by excessive accumulation of body fat, usually because of poor diets and a sedentary lifestyle.

A few years ago (1997), the World Health Organization included obesity, including epidemic diseases. This decision was based on the statistics of the increase of this disease was reported from almost every country in the world. In all cases we have seen, that the number of obese growing at an alarming rate, so it is expected that, in the absence of actions to modify this situation, it will happen a very significant increase of this disease and its associated diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc.

Epidemiological studies of obesity are recent: until 1960, was not considered a major problem for public health. Given the definition of obesity widely accepted (increased body fat, resulting in weight gain); there are numerous techniques for assessing the body composition and its application to epidemiological studies. Logically mind, in clinical practice most widely used techniques are anthropometric. The SEEDO recommends the use of anthropometry, considering the weight, height, body circumferences and folds skin, by age and sex. It has the advantage of being a method affordable, low cost, easily understood by parents with an ex-adequate explanation, and generally provides enough information for nutritional status. Among its disadvantages is the subjectivity the disparity of criteria ...