Humans against Obesity: Who Will Win?

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The global obesity epidemic affects over 2 billion people, with current assessments relying heavily on body mass index (BMI).
• The disparity between normal BMI ranges and current population averages highlights the limitations of BMI as a sole indicator.
• The correlation between BMI and disease risk is not linear, and other factors significantly influence obesity-related comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore alternative methods for assessing the disease impact of the obesity epidemic.
• To advocate for modifying the built environment as a key strategy to combat rising obesity rates.
• To emphasize the role of factors beyond BMI in obesity-related disease risk.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing epidemiological data on obesity and BMI.
• Review of the correlation between BMI, disease risk, and other contributing factors like epigenetics and socioeconomic status.
• Examination of the influence of the built environment on lifestyle and obesity.

Main Results:

• BMI alone inadequately represents the disease burden of obesity.
• Factors such as epigenetics (DNA methylation) and socioeconomic status play a more significant role in obesity comorbidities than BMI.
• The built environment is a primary driver of the obesity epidemic.

Conclusions:

• Rethinking obesity assessment beyond BMI is essential.
• Interventions must address the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of obesity.
• A societal movement is necessary to modify the built ecosystem and combat the obesity epidemic effectively.