Coordinated care By: William Holubek May 24, 2021
12:01 am
Obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than 30, is a major public health problem with an increasing prevalence both across the United States and in New Jersey. Here, more than 1 in 4 people is living with obesity, and in the city of Newark, the obesity rate is even higher, at nearly 40%.
Holubek
The Centers for Disease Control has characterized obesity as a national epidemic and a major contributor to some of the leading causes of death in the United States, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer. Obesity also increases the risk of an individual developing serious health conditions, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Obesity affects every organ system and can have dangerous consequences for one’s health.