World Obesity Day, observed annually on March 4, aims to raise awareness about the global obesity epidemic and encourage actions to combat its health consequences. This day serves as a call to action for individuals, communities and policymakers to promote healthier lifestyles and implement strategies to reduce obesity rates worldwide.
Obesity is a significant public health issue affecting millions of people across the globe. It is associated with numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 650 million adults worldwide are obese, a number that continues to rise due to various factors, including poor diet, sedentary lifestyles and genetic predisposition.
Obesity is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors, including:
- Dietary habits: High-calorie diets rich in sugars and unhealthy fats contribute to weight gain.
- Physical inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles, often driven by technology and urbanization, reduce energy expenditure.
- Genetics: Family history plays a role in determining a person’s susceptibility to obesity.
- Socioeconomic factors: Limited access to nutritious food and health care can increase obesity risk.
- Mental health: Emotional stress, depression and other psychological factors can contribute to overeating and weight gain.
Addressing obesity requires a multi-faceted approach involving individuals, communities and governments. Effective strategies include:
- Encouraging a balanced diet with whole foods, lean proteins and healthy fats.
- Promoting regular physical activity through sports, exercise programs and active transportation.
- Implementing policies to regulate food marketing, improve food labeling and increase access to healthier food options.
- Raising awareness about mental health support for those struggling with emotional eating and obesity-related stress.
Obesity significantly impacts Kentucky, affecting both public health and the state’s economy:
- As of 2022, 37.7% of Kentucky adults were classified as obese, ranking the state 40th in the nation for adult obesity rates. Approximately 19.6% of Kentucky children aged 10 to 17 are obese, the second-highest rate in the United States. In Louisville, specifically, 39.9% of Louisville’s adult population is classified as obese. Obesity rates are disproportionately high in 12 low-income Louisville neighborhoods, most of which are predominantly Black. In Louisville, 72.7% of Black adults are overweight or obese, higher than the rate among white adults (61.8%).
- Per the 2024 National Findings Report for Kentucky, 41% of adults in Kentucky have a BMI or 30 or higher, compared to 34% nationally.
Obesity is linked to various chronic diseases prevalent in Kentucky:
- Diabetes: Nearly 14% of Kentucky adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, placing the state fifth nationally for diabetes prevalence.
- Hypertension: Approximately 40.3% of adults in Kentucky have hypertension, also ranking fifth in the nation.
The extremely high rates of obesity pose a significant challenge to both Kentucky and Louisville’s public health and economy. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive strategies, including community engagement, policy changes and initiatives focused on promoting healthier lifestyles.
Weight Loss Surgery is an Option
Eating a proper diet and partaking in regular exercise are things that most individuals can do to maintain a healthy body weight. If you are unable to maintain healthy weight through diet and exercise, or have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater, you may benefit from weight loss surgery.
A BMI of 40 or higher is referred to as “severe” or “extreme” obesity. A 40-50% decrease in excess body fat can result in significant improvement in overall health, including reducing complications from comorbidities. Studies have consistently shown that patients undergoing weight loss surgery, such as bariatric procedures, experience lower mortality rates over a five-year period compared to those who do not have surgery.
“For most of our weight loss surgery patients, the decision to have a procedure only comes after they have unsuccessfully tried again and again to lose significant weight with no tangible results,” said John Olsofka, M.D., surgeon at UofL Health’s Weight Loss Surgery program located at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. “Our patients want to improve their health and their overall quality of life. Weight loss surgery, combined with long-term exercise and nutritional counselling have a profound, positive effect on patients being able to sustain long-term health.”
Vincent Lusco, M.D., another surgeon at the Weight Loss Surgery program said that the personalized weight loss surgery program at Mary & Elizabeth is designed for significant and lasting weight loss.
“Our patients gain so much,” said Dr. Lusco. “They get relief from diabetes, hypertension and joint pain, and they have renewed energy and more confidence. Most of all, they get back the freedom to do the things they enjoy whether taking a walk with their loved one or playing with their children. It’s life changing.”
Most major insurance plans, including UofL Health’s OnePlan, provide weight loss surgery coverage for patients meeting selection criteria.
The program at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is accredited through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). The board-certified surgeons are highly experienced and have performed over 5,400 weight loss surgeries over the past 20-plus years. Each patient receives care from a dedicated teams including a program coordinator, bariatric program nurse, registered dietitian, psychologist, exercise physiologist and other specialists to ensure that lifestyle changes are made to ensure long-term success. Patients also receive complimentary lifetime access to the program’s registered dietitians.
To learn more about the Weight Loss Surgery program at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital including how to register for a free online weight loss surgery seminar, call 502-361-6059. To learn more about the Advanced Bariatrics and Medical Weight Management program at UofL Health – UofL Hospital, call 502-588-4790. Information on both programs may be found at: https://uoflhealth.org/services/advanced-bariatric-surgery-and-medical-weight-loss/bariatrics-and-weight-loss-surgery/
