Americans View Obesity as Tied with Cancer as Top Health Threat

A new survey of Americans shows that 81% of those polled report believing that obesity is a serious health problem facing the nation, tying with cancer as the most serious issue; and 94% agree that obesity increases a person’s risk of dying early even if they don’t have any other health conditions.

The downside is that only 38% consider obesity itself as a disease.

The data is based on a phone survey of 1,509 adults (including over-samples of African Americans and Hispanics in order to be representative).

However, the survey was conducted by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and NORC at the University of Chicago (formerly the National Opinion Research Center). Considering that the ASMBS's purpose might be to generate more business for its member surgeons, we could question the data.

Yet, it's good news that Americans are recognizing that obesity is a major health issues.

The reality is that obesity IS on par with cancer as a top threat to health (especially considering the August 2016 New York Times article stating that obesity is linked to at least 13 different cancers). We have long-suspected that obesity is a major factor in many forms of cancer, and now the research into how cancer develops is supporting that suspicion--especially as obesity causes inflammation and inflammation is linked to the development and growth of nearly every major cancer.

One cancer missing from the NYT list (see below) is prostate cancer, which is well-known to be a lifestyle cancer (meaning that exercise, healthy diet, not smoking, and limited drinking are associated with lower risk of the disease). Being overweight or obese increases the risk of the most aggressive (=deadly) forms of the disease.

I hope the fact that this is a survey of Americans indicates that we are finally waking up to the health risks of obesity. Now if we could only get people to honestly recognize when they are overweight or obese, rather than minimizing their weight and size issues.

Three Things You Should Know about the ASMBS and NORC Survey on Obesity Among American Adults…. 

1) Eighty-one percent report obesity as a serious health problem facing the nation, tying with cancer as the most serious issue.
2) Nearly all (94 percent) agree that obesity increases a person’s risk of dying early even if they don’t have any other health conditions. However, few (38 percent) consider obesity in and of itself as a disease.
3) Despite widespread recognition of its severity, more than one-third of those with obesity have not spoken with a doctor or health professional about their weight.

Here is the press release:

The ASMBS and NORC Survey on Obesity in America

A new study from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and NORC at the University of Chicago finds that Americans view obesity as tied with cancer as the most serious health problem facing the country. The vast majority identify obesity as a serious problem, and they rate it as more serious a threat than heart disease and diabetes. However, in spite of their understanding of the seriousness of obesity, few seem to know how to achieve long-term weight loss, overestimating the effectiveness of some treatments and underestimating the effectiveness and safety of others. 

The study reveals that the public’s understanding of the severity of obesity and its associated health risks has evolved in recent years, but stereotypes and misperceptions still affect people's attitudes and actions. A lack of individual willpower is cited as the biggest barrier to weight loss, and a majority of people with obesity attempt to lose weight without the help of medical professionals. This is the case despite widespread public knowledge of the high risk of premature death and other serious health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, which are associated with obesity. 

The nationally representative survey of 1,509 adults included oversamples of African Americans and Hispanics. It was funded by ASMBS and used AmeriSpeak®, the probability-based panel of NORC at the University of Chicago. Interviews were conducted between August 11 and September 21, 2016, online and using landlines and cell phones. 

Two separate reports detail the findings from the 2016 survey from ASMBS and NORC at the University of Chicago. 

The first report, entitled, Obesity Rises to Top Health Concern for Americans, but Misperceptions Persist, shows that nearly all American adults agree that obesity increases a person’s risk of dying early even if they don’t have any other health conditions. However, few consider obesity in and of itself as a disease. Additionally, the results reveal that a majority of Americans with obesity according to their BMI don’t recognize their clinical condition and consider themselves to be overweight, but not obese. 

The second report, entitled, New Insights into Americans’ Perceptions and Misperceptions of Obesity Treatments, and the Struggles Many Face, finds Americans overestimate the effectiveness of diet and exercise alone for long-term weight loss, and tend to underestimate both the safety and effectiveness of medical and surgical treatments. Yet more than 6 in 10 believe that health insurance should cover obesity treatments such as losing weight with the help of a doctor through diet or exercise, weight loss surgery, one-on-one dietary counseling, prescription medications, and formal exercise programs.