Ebook Influence of Diet and Diet Education on Overweight and Obese Individuals: Outcomes Related to Job Performance
In the world today there are over 1 billion overweight adults, in which 300 million are obese. Being obese or overweight increase the risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke and certain types of cancer (McCrory et al., 1995). These health consequences increase the risk of premature death, and reduce the overall quality of life. The increase of obesity during childhood is also a major concern (WHO, 2007). This rise in obesity is believed to be a result of diets with a higher percentage of fat, saturated fat and sugar. Furthermore, there is a shift toward less physically demanding work, and more passive leisure time (Riebe et al., 2003). Overweight and obese individuals are classified using body mass index (BMI), defined as their weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m2 ). A BMI over 25 kg/m2 is defined as overweight, and a BMI of over 30 kg/m2 as obese. These levels provide benchmarks for clinical assessment, but the risks of disease in a population can also increase from lower BMI values (Harbin et al., 2006).
Obesity has been identified as one of the more serious health risk factors facing many individuals and society as a whole (McCrory et al., 1995). The cost that is associated with the loss of life and medical expenses is significantly greater than that of smoking, excessive drinking, and poverty. The estimated dollar increase in overall health cost for each of the following categories is obesity 36%, smoking 21%, and heavy drinking 14%. Being obese or overweight increases medical cost, plus has a direct financial effect on industry. The cost associated with decreased productivity is estimated at over $4 billion dollars. There is a direct correlation between an increase in BMI and the increase in the average number of sick days. It has been estimated that 10% of the total loss of productivity resulting from sick leave and disability in women is related to obesity or obesity related disease. Obese individuals have 1.5-1.9 times greater incidence of illness-related absenteeism. Studies have also shown that a higher percentage of individuals on disability pension are classified as obese (Harbin et al., 2006).
There is increasing evidence that supports modest reductions in weight improve obesity related risk factors and death. A few studies have also suggested that weight loss improves the quality of life. Many diseases are associated with obesity and high BMIs > 30 kg/m2 (Wee et al., 2004). Arthritis, primarily osteoarthritis, is the leading cause of disability in the United States and obesity is a risk factor for arthritis. Recent data reported that one third of U.S. adults had arthritis based on either chronic joint pain or a doctor’s diagnosis. One study showed a strong relationship between BMI and arthritis. The prevalence of arthritis was 25.9% in the normal weight group, 32.1% in the overweight group and 43.5% in the obese group. Weight loss would be important to decrease this painful disease (Mehrotra et al., 2004).
High blood pressure is a major health concern in the U.S. affecting more than 50 million people. Blood pressure can be reduced pharmacologically in hypertensive people, but anti-hypertensive medications are not effective for everyone, and they are costly, and could result in adverse effects. Instead, weight loss is recommended for the reduction of Blood Pressure. Morbidity and Mortality are associated with Hypertension. Observational studies have shown that an increase in blood pressure from 5-6mm Hg causes an increase risk of stroke by 35-40%, and a 20-25% increased risk of ischemic heart disease. Myocardial infarction and stroke are not directly related to an increase in blood pressure but result from the structural changes in the heart and blood vessels. Studies have shown that weight loss leads to a significant reduction in blood pressure (Bacon et al., 2004).
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, so it is not surprising that studies show 87.6% of this group is overweight or obese. Diabetes is very prevalent in the U.S. and is associated with high health care cost. These cost stem from treating complications of the disease. One study showed that 60% of those with diabetes have neuropathy, 97% of those taking insulin and 80% not taking insulin have retinopathy and around 14% of a those 45-64 have coronary heart disease. The main risk factors for diabetic complications are poor glycemic control, hypertension, lipid disorders, and obesity. The recommended treatment and control measures for type 2 diabetes is weight loss and reduced BMI (Nothwehr & Stump, 2000).
Contents
Introduction
- • Background
• Objectives
Literature Review
- • Obesity Definition, Epidemiology and Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Obesity Economic Affects and Work Performance
• Measuring Obesity
• Biomarkers of Obesity
• Treatment Options for Obesity
• Pharmacotherapy
• Nutrition and Obesity
Methods
- • Nutrition Guide
• Nutrition Evaluation Assessment Tool
Discussion
Limitations
Literature Cited
Appendix
- • Nutrition Guide
• Nutrition Evaluation Assessment Tool
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