Dietary habits, constant screen exposure, remote work—lifestyles are changing, but not always in ways that benefit our health. As the issue of inactivity increasingly impacts French citizens across all age groups, obesity rates are climbing. This public health challenge now affects 8 million people in France. How do we combat this? Should we be worried? Professor Emmanuel Disse, head of the nutrition department at Lyon Sud Hospital, provides insights in an interview for the show “Votre Santé” on BFM Lyon.
There are now twice as many obese individuals and those with excess weight in France compared to 25 years ago. This alarming trend brings with it numerous adverse health repercussions.
As of 2020, about 17% of adults were classified as obese, which greatly increases the risk of various cardiovascular diseases, alongside physical ailments and significant psychological impacts, as overweight individuals often find themselves marginalized in a society that struggles to recognize obesity as a health condition. Overweight and obesity affect everyone, and the battle against excess weight can lead to disappointment as well.
What strategies exist today to counter the rise of obesity? This key issue was discussed in the Votre Santé broadcast on April 7th on BFM Lyon, where Élodie Poyade and Pascal Auclair, editor-in-chief of Ma Santé group, interviewed Professor Emmanuel Disse, who leads the nutrition service at Lyon Sud Hospital, home to the Integrated Obesity Center, one of five reference centers in France.
Obesity: How Do You Know If You’re Affected?
When Is A Person Considered Obese?
The simplest way to assess this is through the Body Mass Index (BMI), a general indicator of body fat. It is easy to calculate: take your weight in kilograms and divide it by your height in meters, then divide again by your height in meters. There are numerous smartphone applications that facilitate BMI calculations.
The World Health Organization has established a threshold: a BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity. A BMI above 35 represents grade 2 obesity, or severe obesity. A BMI of 40 and above classifies as very severe or morbid obesity.
Can The BMI Distinguish Between Obesity And Overweight?
Overweight is characterized by a BMI between 25 and 30. This distinction allows us to separate overweight individuals from those who are classified as obese. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or above face a significantly higher risk of health complications, particularly cardiovascular diseases, compared to those with a BMI below 30.
Increasing Severity Of Obesity In France
It’s often said that France lags behind the USA in combating obesity. However, the American population is also increasingly obese. Is there a similar trend emerging in France?
Since 1997, the prevalence of obesity among adults has doubled. Cautiously optimistic, however, is the observation that the obesity rate hasn’t significantly increased based on the last two surveys conducted in 2012 and again in 2020. What has changed is the severity of obesity. In particular, cases with a BMI over 40—qualifying individuals for obesity surgery—increased from 1% in 2012 to 2% in 2020. Thus, while the number of obese individuals may not have significantly risen, the severity of the condition has worsened in France.
Is Obesity A Social Disease, Implying That Lifestyle And Background Influence Susceptibility?
It’s essential to avoid stigmatizing individuals. Nonetheless, epidemiological studies reveal that differences in income and education levels significantly affect the risk of adult obesity. For instance, individuals with only primary education face a fourfold higher risk of obesity compared to highly educated individuals. The obesity rate is 25% among those with low education, as opposed to only 7% among the well-educated. The gap between “wealthier households” and “lower-income households” earning less than 900 euros per month has thus widened fourfold.
Genetics: Another Factor in Obesity?
What Are The Main Causes Of Obesity?
While diet and inactivity are major contributors, these are factors we can address to some extent. Genetics play a role too; just as our height can be predicted by parental height, weight can be similarly influenced. Regardless of age, the weight curve tends to change over time, evident even in young children. Infants, even before visiting fast-food restaurants, often show increasing body mass. Therefore, external factors, including environmental elements beyond our control, likely contribute to rising obesity rates in France. These variables include access to physical activity, healthy food options, and pollutants, which may impact obesity prevalence.
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Obesity?
A BMI starting at 30, or even as low as 25, introduces numerous health risks. One significant concern is hypertension, which is the most common complication of obesity. Sleep apnea is another severe risk, potentially necessitating the use of devices during sleep. Additionally, obesity significantly increases the likelihood of developing diabetes—tripling the risk. Other conditions such as gout and renal insufficiency also correlate with obesity. Over a long period, individuals who have been obese for 20 to 30 years face heightened risks for certain cancers, including colon, breast, and kidney cancers.
What Advice Can You Offer Parents Of Overweight Children To Prevent Obesity?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is paramount. This includes paying careful attention to the items you purchase at the grocery store. Prioritizing minimally processed foods can help avoid overly rich diets. Additionally, successful daily habits should involve regular physical activity. Engaging in sports should be as routine as brushing one’s teeth.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Ma Santé provides tools to help you calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI).
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