Obesity Now Greatest Modifiable Risk Factor

New studies suggest that obesity recently beat out smoking as the “greatest modifiable risk factor” affecting how long and how well we live. Smoking has long been known as the number one cause of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, emphysema and variety of other health challenges. It’s estimated that two-thirds of Americans are overweight, 50 percent of which are actually obese.

Obesity is defined by the Mayo Clinic as having “an excessive amount of body fat that is more than just a cosmetic concern.” According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. What’s startling is that obesity is gradually becoming a more prevalent risk factor than smoking. For years now, we’ve heard how smoking is the number one cause of a variety of diseases and life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease; however, recent studies have suggested that obesity is beginning to eclipse the risks of smoking and drinking combined – and at an alarming rate. In 2008, it was estimated that obesity cost the U.S. $147 billion and 2010 shouldn’t see much of a reprieve. In fact, Thomson Reuters estimates that obese people will spend an average of 40 percent more on health costs – or $1,429 more per year than people within a normal weight range, in the coming years.  

Bioidentical hormones expert, Bob Ghelfi, M.D. of BodyLogicMD of Sacramento discusses how the care crisis is in our kitchen:

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