Weight loss products and fat burners have gained increasing prominence due to the escalation of the obese and the overweight population, readily available information on fat issues and the impact on health, as well as the trend to “self-manage” ones health.
“Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally”, declares the World Health Organization (WHO) in their fact sheet* concerning obesity and overweight. WHO projections show that globally, in 2005, about 1.6 billion adults were overweight and at least 400 million were obese.
The Bulging Burden
As a major contributor to the burden of chronic disease and disability, the issue of obesity & overweight is a cause for concern. Obesity & overweight are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke), diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders and certain forms of cancer (especially hormonally-related & large bowel cancers). |
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 The bulging population and the association of obesity and overweight with chronic disease and disability, warrant a battle against this epidemic concern. For effective weight management programs, regular physical activity & healthy diets need integration with prevention, weight maintenance, management of co-morbidities and weight loss plans.
As the overweight population is estimated by WHO to reach 2.3 billion by 2015, the battle of the bulge is expected to rage on. Thus, long-term strategies towards an integrated, multi-sectoral and population-based approach are needed.
Source:
* Obesity & overweight, WHO Fact Sheet N0 311 (September 2006) |
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