RGH obesity 6 24 05

Straight Talk about Obesity and Health: Scope, Impact and Solutions: 

Straight Talk about Obesity and Health: Scope, Impact and Solutions A Briefing Sponsored by the Congressional Prevention Coalition and the Partnership for Prevention June 24, 2005

Agenda: 

Agenda Welcome: Alisa Morris, Sen. Harkin’s staff Overview andamp; mortality: Bob Harmon, MD Health impact: David Katz, MD Economic impact: Eric Finkelstein, PhD Policy options: Doug Kamerow, MD Qs andamp; As: Group

Questions About Obesity-related Excess Mortality: 

Questions About Obesity-related Excess Mortality Mokdad estimates (JAMA: Mar. 2004 andamp; Jan. 2005) ▪ BMI andgt; 25 = ~365,000 deaths Flegal estimates (JAMA: April 2005) ▪ BMI andgt; 30 = ~112,000 deaths ▪ 25 andlt; BMI andlt; 29.9 = ~86,000 deaths averted ▪ Net impact of overweight and obesity = ~26,000 deaths

Slide4: 

Slide5: 

Scientists keep working to describe full health effects of obesity Role of obesity in death is complex Obesity is not reported reliably on death certificates Scientists must use complex modeling techniques to estimate obesity-related deaths The Science of Estimating Obesity-Related Deaths is Complex and Evolving

Slide6: 

Data and Methodology Issues Earlier CDC estimates were based on older data andamp; methods Reflected health risks of 1970s Used self-reported rather than measured height andamp; weight Used narrow range of normal BMI (23-25) Didn’t adjust for age and smoking Data didn’t reflect entire U.S. population

Slide7: 

Data and Methodology Issues (cont) Recent estimates used newer data andamp; methods May better reflect current health status of U.S. population Used wider range of normal BMI (18.5-25) adopted by NIH and WHO May reflect lower death rates for obesity-related conditions like heart disease Adjusted for decrease in obesity-related deaths among older adults

Comments on Obesity Mortality: 

Comments on Obesity Mortality Obesity rate is rising, but obesity mortality is falling Could be related to better prevention and care of conditions such as high cholesterol, smoking, and heart disease Most excess mortality is among the very obese

Comments on Obesity Mortality (cont): 

Comments on Obesity Mortality (cont) No apparent relationship to length of follow-up study, weight loss from underlying disease, or smoking status More research needed to determine reason for lower mortality in overweight population Morbidity and cost of overweight and obesity are significant, growing problems