Obesity--a public health dilemma

Obesity now is recognized as a national epidemic. An estimated 64% of the US population is classified as overweight or obese. Environmental factors, such as increased food portions and sedentary lifestyles, have contributed to this epidemic. The epidemic affects children, with 15% of children in the United States aged one to 19 years overweight or obese. Numerous government agencies (eg, US Food and Drug Administration, Medicare, Internal Revenue Service) are working with the health care community to combat obesity. This article describes causes of obesity and offers possible solutions, such as healthy lifestyle changes, surgical options, and medication therapy.