A recent study that looked at the trends of obesity in 195 countries over 25 years found more than 10 percent of the world’s population is obese, according to the study in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The body mass index, charts used to convert a person’s weight and height in pounds and inches, is the most common guide used to classify a person as obese, said Goodarz Danaei, an associate professor of global health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Once the body mass index, or BMI, hits 30 or above, a person is diagnosed as obese.
Almost two-thirds of the health effects of obesity are cardiovascular disease, heart disease and stroke, the study published Monday notes.
While the global study shows obesity is not a unique problem facing America, with nearly 604 million obese adults worldwide, the United States has the greatest percentage of obese children and young adults, at 13 percent.
One of the key solutions to the obesity rates is figuring out how to harness technology to help us be healthier, especially children, said Amanda Staiano, a developmental psychologist in pediatric obesity focusing on using technology-related physical activity to help children most at-risk for obesity and disease.
"We find when kids spend hours and hours in front of the television, that is one of the largest contributors to obesity, but I’m excited to see that our technology is now moveable," she said. "It moves with us so that means if you enjoy Pokémon Go, or if you enjoy an app that involves a scavenger hunt, you can use that technology as a tool to help you live a healthier life."
Staiano said her research has shown even video games where standing up and body movements are required can be a supportive tool to combat childhood obesity.
"We find that kids really enjoy playing the game, including kids that may not be involved in sports activities or may not be active in PE class but they’re willing to start being physically active, because it’s done in a game format," said Staiano, an assistant professor at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Another successful tactic to aid in fighting obesity is family interventions where parents are either trying to lose weight or become more active with their children, she said. While changes really need to occur at a household level, she encourages adults to get involved and ensure children have a healthy role mode.
Even with the help of technology and parents, Staiano said obesity is a difficult medical disease requiring the help of health officials.
"We do need to turn to pediatricians and counselors to help us," she said. "I encourage them (parents) to talk to their pediatrician, perhaps enlist a dietician or an exercise specialist, and really try to tackle this now because, unfortunately, it only gets harder and harder as that child grows up and continues to be obese."
