The Obesity Epidemic: The USA as a Cautionary Tale for the Rest of the World

Abstract

Obesity is a global epidemic and its prevalence continues to increase in many developed and developing countries. This brief review provides an update on the prevalence of obesity in the United States (US) and globally, reviews the underlying mechanism of several comorbidities associated with obesity, and discusses the economic burden of obesity. Although the overall prevalence of obesity in the US is not increasing, racial and ethnic minorities continue to struggle with rising obesity rates. Globally, the largest increases are being observed in developing continues. Given the comorbidities associated with obesity and its immense economic burden, nearly every country will soon struggle with the financial and healthcare implications of the epidemic.