Lung illness, emphysema, COPD, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, pleural effusion, tuberculosis, occupational lung disease, asbestosis, silicosis etc. Pulmonary Function Tests, including spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion capacity test, 6 minute walk test, etc.

Obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, iinsomnia, restless legs syndrome, REM behavior disorders, etc. Diagnostic sleep studies, and CPAP titration studies, MSLT, MWT etc

IMEs, Workers' Compensation, Disability Evaluation, Peer Review, Medical Records Review, Expert Witness etc.

Obesity and Overweight----the following information is obtained from Centers for Disease and Prevention web site to maintain uniformity in diagnosis and management of obesity and its related health problems.

Our web site may not provide complete clinical information about obesity and its health related issues and evaluation and management by a certified clinical specialist is always recommended. This web site is maintained for educational purposes only.

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:

Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

1.       Education on obesity.

2.       Complete evaluation of obesity and its health related complications if detected including various lipid abnormalities, pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome etc.

3.       Complete Pulmonary Function Tests to assess the effects of obesity on lung function, including restrictive lung patterns, obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, hypoxemia states, etc.

4.       Diagnostic Polysomnography to assess the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome which contributes to progressive weight gain, cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, congestive heart failure.

5.       6 Minute Walk Tests to assess functional capacity and cardiovascular fitness, oxygenation status, exercise capacity, etc.

6.       Referral and Evaluation by nutritionist if clinical indicated.

7.       Referral and Evaluation by an exercise specialist if clinically indicated.

8.       Referral and Evaluation by a certified respiratory therapist if clinically indicated.

9.       Various outside weight loss programs like Weight Watchers, etc if clinically indicated.

10.   Referral and evaluation by an endocrinologist if clinically indicated.

11.   We provide all pertinent information on obesity management and its health related issues in the form of brochure, video programs, exercise techniques, etc. This information is available on CDC sites as above.

12.   Referral and Evaluation by a cardiologist.

13.   Referral and Evaluation by a bariatric surgeon if clinically indicated.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact us by email on this web site or phone call.

Thanks for your support in the success of this program.

Sincerely yours,

Staff at Phoenix Rising Medical, PC

 

American society has become 'obesogenic,' characterized by environments that promote increased food intake, non healthful foods, and physical inactivity. Policy and environmental change initiatives that make healthy choices in nutrition and physical activity available, affordable, and easy will likely prove most effective in combating obesity.

The Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) at Centers for Disease and Prevention  is working to reduce obesity and obesity-related conditions through state programs, technical assistance and training, leadership, surveillance and research, intervention development and evaluation, translation of practice-based evidence and research findings, and partnership development.

Data and Statistics U.S. Obesity Trends 1985–2007

The prevalence of obesity is explained in a slide presentation format. You may view the slides online or download them as a Microsoft PowerPoint Document (PPT).

Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.

Overweight and Obesity Trends Among Adults

After a quarter century of increases, obesity prevalence has not measurably increased in the past few years but levels are still high — at 34 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and over.

Since the mid-seventies, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children. Data from two NHANES surveys show that among adults aged 20–74 years the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% (in the 1976–1980 survey) to 32.9% (in the 2003–2004 survey).

Overweight Trends among Children and Adolescents

This Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) article reports the prevalence of high body mass index (BMI) for age among children and adolescents showed no significant changes between 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 and no significant trends between 1999 and 2006. Rates of overweight and obesity remain high with 31.9% of children and adolescents aged 2 through 19 years at or above the 85th percentile of the 2000 BMI-for-age growth charts.

Overweight is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. Data from two NHANES surveys (1976–1980 and 2003–2004) show that the prevalence of overweight is increasing: for children aged 2–5 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 13.9%; for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 18.8%; and for those aged 12–19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.4%.

Related Resources

Includes national estimated cost and state-level estimated costs of overweight and obesity in the U.S.

If you're interested in worldwide obesity statistics, CDC's Cancer Atlas tracks some data in their Risk Factors section.

 

Overweight and obesity are both labels for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems.

For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the "body mass index" (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.

HeightWeight RangeBMIConsidered5’ 9" 124 lbs or less Below 18.5 Underweight 125 lbs to 168 lbs 18.5 to 24.9 Healthy weight 169 lbs to 202 lbs 25.0 to 29.9 Overweight 203 lbs or more 30 or higher Obese

It is important to remember that although BMI correlates with the amount of body fat, BMI does not directly measure body fat. As a result, some people, such as athletes, may have a BMI that identifies them as overweight even though they do not have excess body fat.

For more information about BMI, visit Body Mass Index.

Other methods of estimating body fat and body fat distribution include measurements of skin fold thickness and waist circumference, calculation of waist-to-hip circumference ratios, and techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

For children and teens, BMI ranges above a normal weight have different labels (at risk of overweight and overweight). Additionally, BMI ranges for children and teens are defined so that they take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages.

For more information on BMI for children and teens (also called BMI-for-age),

visit BMI for Children and Teens.

For more, see Defining Childhood Overweight and Obesity.

BMI is just one indicator of potential health risks associated with being overweight or obese. For assessing someone’s likelihood of developing overweight- or obesity-related diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines recommend looking at two other predictors:

For more information about the assessment of health risk for developing overweight- and obesity-related diseases, visit the following Web pages from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

Overall there are a variety of factors that play a role in obesity. This makes it a complex health issue to address. This section will address how behavior, environment, and genetic factors may have an effect in causing people to be overweight and obese.

The Caloric Balance Equation

Adapted from U.S. Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, 2001

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime, the bottom line is – calories count! Weight management is all about balance – balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses or "burns off."

If you are…Your caloric balance status is ….Maintaining your weight "In balance." You are eating roughly the same number of calories that your body is using. Your weight will remain stable. Gaining weight "In caloric excess." You are eating more calories than your body is using. You will store these extra calories as fat and you’ll gain weight. Losing weight "in caloric deficit." You are eating fewer calories than you are using. Your body is pulling from its fat storage cells for energy, so your weight is decreasing.

Genetics and the environment may increase the risk of personal weight gain. However, the choices a person makes in eating and physical activity also contributes to overweight and obesity.

For more, see Healthy Weight – Balancing Calories.

Environment

People may make decisions based on their environment or community. For example, a person may choose not to walk to the store or to work because of a lack of sidewalks. Communities, homes, and workplaces can all influence people's health decisions. Because of this influence, it is important to create environments in these locations that make it easier to engage in physical activity and to eat a healthy diet.

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity 2001 identified action steps for several locations that may help prevent and decrease obesity and overweight. The following table provides some examples of these steps.

Genetics The Population

"Despite obesity having strong genetic determinants, the genetic composition of the population does not change rapidly. Therefore, the large increase in . . . [obesity] must reflect major changes in non-genetic factors."

Hill, James O., and Trowbridge, Frederick L. Childhood obesity: future directions and research priorities. Pediatrics. 1998; Supplement: 571.

Science shows that genetics plays a role in obesity. Genes can directly cause obesity in disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.

However genes do not always predict future health. Genes and behavior may both be needed for a person to be overweight. In some cases multiple genes may increase one’s susceptibility for obesity and require outside factors; such as abundant food supply or little physical activity.

For more information on the genetics and obesity visit Obesity and Genetics: A Public Health Perspective.

Other Factors

Some illnesses may lead to obesity or weight gain. These may include Cushing's disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Drugs such as steroids and some antidepressants may also cause weight gain.

A doctor is the best source to tell you whether illnesses, medications, or psychological factors are contributing to weight gain or making weight loss hard.

Related Resources The Health Consequences of Obesity Health Consequences

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity,"* the risks for the following conditions also increases:

*Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.

For more, see Defining Obesity.

For more information about these and other health problems associated with overweight and obesity, visit Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.

Related Resources

References

NIH, NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults. Available online:

The dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood overweight and its health consequences are associated with significant health problems and financial burdens. This statement proposes strategies to foster prevention and early identification of overweight and obesity in children, and for dietary and physical activity interventions during physical check ups.

The National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) created a weight-control information network. This site is an online resource for information on obesity, its causes, and health risks, and provides measurement tools and relevant publications on the topic.

Recommendations

The U.S. Surgeon General calls upon the nation to work together in finding solutions to the problem of obesity and overweight. To read the report, visit the Surgeon General's Web site.

The guidelines present an approach for assessing overweight and obesity and established principles of safe and effective weight loss. (This resource is hosted by the National Institutes of Health.)

Resources On this Page

Resource Guide for Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases (PDF-550K)

A resource guide for nutrition and physical activity programs to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases. Topics cover obesity prevention and control (including caloric intake and expenditure), increased physical activity, improved nutrition (including increased breastfeeding and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables), and reduced television time.

General Information about Weight, Nutrition, and Health

CDC, Nutrition and Physical Activity

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It is part of a ongoing lifestyle that you can adopt now and stay with for years to come. A healthy weight contributes to good health now and as you age.

CDC, Nutrition and Physical Activity

Information about the Body Mass Index (BMI), a calculated value used for identifying overweight and obese adults, access to a BMI calculator, and links to related information.

CDC, Diabetes Public Health Resource

Research studies have found that moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults at high-risk of diabetes.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides advice about how good dietary habits for people aged 2 years and older can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.

Also available, a brochure for consumers:Finding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (PDF-255K)

The Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) at the National Agricultural Library (NAL)

The Interactive Toolbox contains links to Web sites that allow consumers and professionals to input information and receive individual feedback to help with dietary assessment and planning, checking personal health risks, testing knowledge, and evaluating needs.

MedlinePlus as service of the US National Library of Medicine brings together a wealth of authoritative obesity information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

MyPyramid Plan can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you. An online dietary assessment that provides information on diet quality and related nutrition information. It also assesses physical activity.

Weight-control Information Network NIDDK

This glossary defines words that are often used when people talk or write about obesity, physical activity, and weight control. It is written for people who are overweight or obese, or interested in learning more about obesity, physical activity, nutrition, and weight control.

Regular physical activity offers many health benefits. The new Physical Activity Web site provides information on the importance of physical activity and how to make it part of your life.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Weight-loss success stories, Small Step tips, and other resources for maintaining and losing weight.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

A call to action that outlines strategies that communities can use in helping to address the problems of overweight and obesity.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

General information, publications, and other resources on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues for the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress.

Weight Loss and Maintenance

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

Some overweight people face challenges trying to be active. Find out how to get more active no matter what your size.

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Guidelines for the measurement of overweight and obesity and steps for safe and effective weight loss.

ASBP offers information on the problem of obesity, tips on weight loss, and a referral program to bariatric physicians (specializing in obesity treatment) for professional consultation.

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

Fact sheet that discusses binge eating disorders.

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

Fact sheet to help consumers make an informed decision about joining a weight-loss program.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Weight Loss & Fitness

Consumer information on topics such as finding the right weight loss program and avoiding deception.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)

Links to information related to losing weight.

CDC, Nutrition and Physical Activity

Links to additional information and resources on nutrition.

Regular physical activity offers many health benefits. The new Physical Activity Web site provides information on the importance of physical activity and how to make it part of your life.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) offers a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8-13 years old stay at a healthy weight.

The booklet "Finding the Balance: A Parent Resources" offers an array of easy to use practical tips and tools for parents and guardians to help their children and families eat healthy, increase physical activity, and decrease screen time.

Federal Citizen Information Center

Booklet designed to help consumers ask the right questions to choose a safe and effective weight loss method and to determine if their weight puts them at risk for health problems.

Education and Research

The CDC's Legislative Database contains summaries of state legislative bills related to nutrition and physical activity from 2001 to present. Links are provided to each state legislature site to obtain the full-text version of the bill.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) This report presents a summary of the papers and the discussions presented at a workshop focused on health economics research on the causes and consequences of rising obesity in the United States.

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Information on an initiative designed to help reduce the prevalence of overweight along with the prevalence of physical inactivity in order to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and overall morbidity and mortality from CHD.

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

Information about grant programs to support obesity and nutrition research and research training: the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit (CNRU) and the Obesity/Nutrition Research Center (ONRC).

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Information Center

Reports and studies on obesity.

CDC, Nutrition and Physical Activity

Document examining the evidence from available studies to determine whether eating fruits and vegetables can help with weight management.

You will find CDC Growth Chart Training Modules, CDC Growth Charts 2000 Slide Set and other resources for using the 2000 CDC Growth Charts.

Childhood Overweight and Obesity

Overweight is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. The most recent data indicate that in the United States about 16% of children ages 6–19 years are overweight.

CDC Division of Adolescent Health and School Health

General information about overweight among young people and general information on healthy eating and physical activity in childhood and adolescence.

Center for Weight and Health, University of California, Berkeley

A tool kit designed to help communities respond to the increasing problem of childhood obesity by mobilizing local resources.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Weight-control Information Network (WIN)

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

General information about childhood overweight and obesity.

This new report explores the influence of food and beverage marketing on the diets and diet-related health of U.S. children and youth. The reports includes the committee's recommendations for how various stakeholders can promote healthful foods and beverages to children and youth.

Overweight: The Children's Media Use Study Highlights Report (PDF-258k)

Results of a qualitative study with children and parents to understand barriers and opportunities for reducing children's television viewing.

Overweight is a risk factor for health conditions such as diabetes and is associated with problems such as poor self-esteem. The good news is that schools can help students and staff adopt healthy eating and physical activity behaviors that are the keys to preventing obesity! Whether you are a teacher, parent, student, or school administrator, you can make healthy changes at your school.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

A child-focused site offering nutritional advice, games and activity suggestions for children and parents as part of the obesity prevention campaign. The computer-animated character Shrek encourages kids to go out an play.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

We Can! stands for Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition. We Can! is a national education program designed for parents and caregivers to help children 8-13 years old stay at a healthy weight. Learn practical tips to help your family find the right balance of eating well and being physically active to maintain a healthy weight.

1.       Education on obesity.

2.       Complete evaluation of obesity and its health related complications if detected.

3.       Complete Pulmonary Function Tests to assess the effects of obesity on lung function, including restrictive lung patterns, obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, hypoxemia states, etc.

4.       Diagnostic Polysomnography to assess the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome which contributes to progressive weight gain, cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, congestive heart failure.

5.       6 Minute Walk Tests to assess functional capacity and cardiovascular fitness, oxygenation status, exercise capacity, etc.

6.       Referral and Evaluation by nutritionist if clinical indicated.

7.       Referral and Evaluation by an exercise specialist if clinically indicated.

8.       Referral and Evaluation by a certified respiratory therapist if clinically indicated.

9.       Various outside weight loss programs like Weight Watchers, etc if clinically indicated

10.   Referral and evaluation by an endocrinologist if clinically indicated.

11.   We provide all pertinent information on obesity management and its health related issues in the form of brochure, video programs, exercise techniques, etc. This information is available on CDC sites as above.

12.   Referral and Evaluation by a cardiologist

13.   Referral and Evaluation by a bariatric surgeon if clinically indicated.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone call.

Thanks for your support in the success of this program.

Staff at Phoenix Rising Medical, PC

 

Additional Resources:

 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/ob_home.htm