RECOGNIZING OBESITY AS A DISEASE: THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

Scott Kahan, MD, MPH

kahan@gwu.edu Director, STOP Obesity Alliance/George Washington University School of Public Health Director, National Center for Weight & Wellness Faculty, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health July 31 , 2013 Cannon House Of fice Building, Washington, DC

WEIGHT GAIN IS NORMATIVE

BEHAVIOR-RELATED DISEASES Diabetes Hypertension Heart disease Stroke Lung cancer (most cancers) Kidney failure Cirrhosis Many, many others

PER-CAPITA CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION

5000 4500 4000 3500 Cigarettes per Year 3000 2500 2000
Broadcast Ad Ban 1st Surgeon General Report Nicotine replacement

Initial studies

Federal Cigarette Tax Doubles Medication FDA approved

1500 1000
500

0 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

1 2

Weight / Body Mass Index

THE CDC FRAMEWORK FOR ADDRESSING OBESIT Y

Home and family
School Community Work Site Healthcare
Food and beverage industry

Social Norms and Policies

Sectors of Influence Behavioral Settings

Agriculture Education Media Government Public health systems Healthcare industry Business and workers

Genetics Psychosocial Knowledge Individual Factors

Land use and transportation

Leisure and recreation

Motivation
Treatment

THANK YOU.

Scott Kahan, MD, MPH kahan@gwu.edu