Obesity, perhaps you have heard that it is a serious public health crisis, but are you aware that it is classed as an epidemic? You may be wondering why it gets so much attention. Well, it is because it has a widespread (no pun intended) impact on human health, well-being, economic resources, and the healthcare system.
You see, if you develop obesity, the chances are very likely that it will be bringing other unwanted friends with it, in the form of premature death and chronic diseases like high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and certain cancers, just to name a few. Over 41.9% of adults in America are estimated to be living with obesity, and a similar percentage of children and adolescents are also obese.
Alarming increase in severe obesity
Over the past several decades, the rates of obesity have continued to skyrocket around the World. According to a study recently published in the journal The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology from Pennington Biomedical, in America, the rate of obesity among adults has risen by 29.5%. More alarmingly, the rate of those with the most severe forms of obesity, or those with a BMI of over 60 kg/m2 has increased by a shocking 210%.
To put this in more perspective, for comparison, the average person with a BMI of 30 is around 30 to 40 pounds overweight. However, a person with a BMI of 60 is more than 200 pounds overweight. The researchers noted that obesity with a BMI of 60 or higher was presumed to be exceedingly rare. However, there isn’t a clear understanding of the disproportionate increase, as many of the previous reports counted all people with a BMI of 30 or higher in the same group.
“Most attention is focused on the category of general obesity, which starts with a BMI of 30 kilograms per square meter, but there is less attention paid to prevalence of obesity of 60 BMI or greater, a category associated with an increased clinical burden, impaired mobility and elevated healthcare costs,” said Dr. Philip Schauer, United Companies Life Insurance Co./Mary Kay and Terrell Brown Chair and director of the Metamor Institute at Pennington Biomedical. “This study is the first to categorize the growing pervasiveness of this extreme degree of obesity, but its gravity is not to be understated, as patients in this category face far greater health risks and comorbidities.”
“Most attention is focused on the category of general obesity, which starts with a BMI of 30 kilograms per square meter, but there is less attention paid to prevalence of obesity of 60 BMI or greater, a category associated with an increased clinical burden, impaired mobility and elevated healthcare costs,” said Dr. Philip Schauer, United Companies Life Insurance Co./Mary Kay and Terrell Brown Chair and director of the Metamor Institute at Pennington Biomedical. “This study is the first to categorize the growing pervasiveness of this extreme degree of obesity, but its gravity is not to be understated, as patients in this category face far greater health risks and comorbidities.”
This study used direct measurements of height and weight from a robust dataset provided by NHANES, and the analysis of BMI trend included non-pregnant adults over the age of 18, with data being examined every 4 years from 2001 to 2023. Additionally, this study may be one of the first to show the prevalence of BMIs between 50 and 59.9 kg/m2; the threshold of a BMI at 60 or above is associated with an even greater severity of associated disease. Those with such extreme obesity are most often not mobile, walk with assistance, or use motorized carts; they also have many more visits to the hospital to treat severe illness, and are unable to work due to disability.
Concerns about the disproportionate increase
The disproportionate increase in extreme obesity cases is now estimated to be at over 850,000 Americans, raising additional serious concerns for the healthcare industry as these patients most often exceed the weight limits for standard medical equipment, adding complexity to imaging, anesthesia, and surgeries. Exceeding medical equipment weight limits can result in the inability to provide medical care, putting this population, which is already facing increased health risks, at even greater risk for comorbidities, reduced responsiveness for interventions, and other determinantal challenges.
“The rate of growth in cases of obesity with a BMI of 60 or greater sends an urgent message to healthcare providers and policymakers to develop the necessary resources and infrastructure to address the challenges posed by this condition,” said Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical. “I commend Dr. Schauer and the research team for being the first to bring the growth rate of this condition to light and giving it the attention it is due. For this and all metabolic diseases and conditions, the research faculty at Pennington Biomedical are committed to delivering solutions from cells to society, addressing the public health challenges of our time.”
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
https://www.pbrc.edu/news/media/2025/us-sees-increase-in-bmi-over-60.aspx
