Obesity is a common health problem characterized by having a high percentage of body fat. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more is an indication of obesity.

In the last few decades, obesity has become a major health problem. In fact, it is now considered a pandemic in the United States.

According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 93.3 million adults Source Source (39.8 percent) and 13.7 million children and Trust Source youth (18.5 percent) are obese.

In addition to the growing percentage, there are many ways to prevent obesity in children and adults. Here we will examine both, and how far we have come in preventing obesity.

Preventing obesity plays an important role in good health. Obesity is associated with a long list of chronic health conditions, many of which are especially difficult to treat over time. These conditions include:

metabolic syndrome

type 2 diabetes

high blood pressure

high triglycerides and “good” cholesterol

Heart disease

stroke

sleep deprivation

gallbladder disease

sexual health issues

fatty liver disease

osteoarthritis

mental health conditions

With a focus on obesity prevention and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce or even prevent the spread of these diseases.