Obesity has emerged as an enormous global public health problem and the leading cause of worldwide death and disability.
It is ironic, that obesity is a more significant global health concern than hunger and a primary contributing factor for metabolic and cardiovascular complications.
Obesity is typically defined by a body mass index (BMI) ³ 30.0 kg/m2, and overweight, 25-29.9 kg/m2.
Estimated annual medical costs for obesity currently exceed $147 billion, 42% greater than for normal-weight individuals, with approximately $254 billion for overweight and obese adolescents.
Obesity rates began to increase in the 1960s nearly doubling by 1994. Between 2015 to 2016, four of ten individuals were obese, 35.7% of whom were younger adults (20-39 years). If these trends continue, 86.3% of U.S. adults will be either overweight or obese by 2030, and by 2048, every U.S. adult will be overweight or obese.
Moreover, an upward trend exists in the prevalence of abdominal obesity, especially among children and adolescents.
Obesity influences coronary risk, indirectly through its effect on related diseases such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, contributing to diabetes.
Pediatric obesity has recently been declared the most serious health problem of this century, increasing two to threefold in the last two decades and an estimated one in six, or 12.7 million youth between 2 to 19 years of age is overweight. If this trend continues, today’s youth may live shorter lives than their parents.
Physical inactivity has become a global pandemic yet the health benefits from physical activity are well established.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the lack of physical activity an urgent, worldwide concern, recommending policies to increase levels of physical activity.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends 150 min/week of moderate intensity or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity exercise in young adults for health-related benefits. For high schoolers, this quantity is ³ 60 minutes/day, although only 27.1% meet ACSM requirements.
Mission and Vision
Vision:
By 2020, the Healthy Lombard Foundation will be recognized as the go to resource for the promotion of a healthier lifestyle in the greater Lombard Area.
We will support this vision by being a resource for any community that wishes to develop or strengthen their efforts to promote and provide a healthier lifestyle for their residents.
Mission (revised January, 2018):
The Mission of Healthy Lombard, is to address the epidemic of Pediatric Obesity, by
(1) Promoting and educating all community members on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle through Awareness, Activities and Achievement;
(2) Providing a platform for health professionals and organizations in the community to network and collaborate on activities; and
(3) Providing the community with information on available resources that focus on various healthy lifestyle options.
