Obesity, Stigma, and Discrimination

Excerpt

Obesity, a complex medical condition, has reached epidemic proportions in the United States (US). The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducts height and weight assessments on a representative sample of Americans to gauge its prevalence. A study by Hales et al reported that between 2013 and 2016, the prevalence of obesity stood at 36.5% for men and 40.8% for women. This prevalence has been on the rise since the 1970s, and it is projected that by 2030, nearly 48.9% of adults in the US will be obese. Individuals with obesity face increased risks of morbidity and mortality due to health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, respiratory illness, and other comorbidities. Obesity also significantly impacts healthcare expenditure, with direct medical costs for obese adults estimated at more than 200 billion USD annually in the United States.