The Obesity Epidemic
Harriett H. Butchko, M.D.

Overweight and obesity have become an epidemic in the past two decades, affecting about one billion people around the world today. Although the problem is most severe in developed countries, it is not limited to the developed world, as evidenced by the “under-nutrition” and “over-nutrition” that co-exist in developing countries.

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Q & A's on Overweight and Obesity
Harriett H. Butchko, M.D.

What is the difference between overweight and obesity?
There are various methods to determine whether a person is overweight or obese, but the most commonly used is body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s body weight (in kg) by the square of the height in meters.

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Weighing in on the Costs of Obesity
Michael T. Halpern, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. and Jordana K. Schmier, M.A.

As the prevalence of obesity increases throughout the world, more attention must be paid to the economic consequences of the condition. A wide range of values has been presented as being “the cost” of obesity in the United States. Some estimates appearing in the popular press might more reasonably be called “guesstimates,” as little or no information supporting the values has been reported.

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