Obesity and related illnesses have fast become the number one heath concern for high, middle

income countries. Worldwide obesity has more than double since the 80s.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that

approximately 1 billion adults are overweight and more than 300 million are obese, every year at least 2.6 million people die of an illness related to obesity or excess weight. In the world

more than 42 million children under the age of five were overweight. Obesity

is on the rise all around the world, including

low income countries, especially around urbanized areas, creating a "double problem", obesity and malnourishment on both sides of the spectrum and the associated problems and economical bourdons of both. The fundamental causes are:

Increased intake of energy dense foods

that are high in fats, sat, sugars and low in quality nutrients and a decrease in physical activity that include less active

work,

changing

modes of transportation

and urbanization. This is often the result of

societal and environmental changes.

The WHO estimates that by the year

2015

more than 1.5 billion people will suffer from excess

weight. 65% of the worlds population

live in countries

were obesity related illnesses kills more people than underweight

In the US more than

2/3

of

the population is overweight

and

according to the

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010, 35.7% of U.S Adults 20 years or older (over 78 million)

and 16.9% of

children and adolescents (12.5 million) were

obese. The

overall prevalence of obesity in the Us in a 12 year

period from 1999 to 2010

has had a linear

trend

for men

and women except non-Hispanic Black and Mexican-American women.

Although specific measures have been implemented to reduce

this growing epidemic,

results have been far from optimistic.

Obesity in the US has increased more significantly

in specific

populations; according to the CDC Obesity facts sheet Non-Hispanic blacks

have the highest age-adjusted

rates of obesity (49.5%), all Hispanics (39.1%), non-Hispanic Whites (34.3%).

The CDC released a report based on a study published

on the American Journal of Preventive Medicine by Dr Finkelstein in June of 2012, in which

they indicated

that an estimated 42% of Americans will be obese

the year 2030, that

is adding

32 million people

who will become obese in the next 18 years and severe obesity will more than double, reaching

11% of the population. This will result in an estimated health care cost

derived from obesity related

ailments

of approximately 550

billion dollars.

Obesity

as stated previously is a worldwide problem, many countries are suffering its

consequences even at a more alarming rate. Such is the case of Mexico.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently stated that Mexico occupies the highest incidence of obesity in children and adults in the world. Childhood

obesity has more than triple in the last

20 years. Of the population with obesity, 83.4% lived in urban areas, 49.4% had 6 years or less of schooling and 59.4% were in the lowest deciles of socioeconomic status

In a recent statement a government health commission (commission de salud de la camara de diputados) stated that: diabetes, hypertension and obesity cause 85% of deaths in Mexico. Bordering states of Mexico with the US report the some of the highest incidences of childhood obesity in the country. One of every four children in Mexico is obese. The risk of becoming obese adults and developing associated illnesses are high and the outlook grim if this is not controlled.

Overweight an obesity are largely preventable .Nations have a huge challenge and responsibility to create a comprehensive, multilevel and

effective

policies

to enable the prevention of chronic diseases and to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity. As stated by the CDC Supporting communities and environments are necessary to shape peoples choices. Healthier foods and regular physical activities should be the easiest choice.

In other words the individual responsibility can only have its full effect where people have access to a healthy life style. For prevention and management at an individual level people can:

limit energy intake from total fats; increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, legumes, grains and

nuts; limit the intake of sugars, engage in regular physical activity; achieve energy balance and a healthy weight.

Although

prevention is key in the management of obesity,

surgery has

specific role when

the individual effort is not successful. Surgery has been proven to be most effective

permanent weight loss solution.

Bariatric surgery

has made important advances in the last decade, becoming less invasive and safer than ever. At Obesity Control Center (OCC) we have been helping people with this health problem for more than a decade with over 10 000 surgeries performed.

Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Martinez received his surgical training and served his residency at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico and the Mexican Institute of Social Service. He has been Board Certified by the Mexican Council of General Surgery since 1999. Furthermore Dr. Martinez is an esteemed member of several professional medical societies and is an attending surgeon and assistant professor for the Minimally Invasive Surgical Unit at the Regional Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico.

He has been designated as an SRC International Centers of Excellence surgeon, one of the industry's most distinguished achievements.

Dr. Martinez furthered his education through postgraduate studies in advanced laparoscopic surgery and bariatric surgery both in Mexico and at a leading medical center in Madrid, Spain. He eventually joined the faculty at the Universidad Autonoma De Baja California as a surgeon and teacher.

An Associate Surgeon of the Laparoscopic Group of Baja California since 2000, he currently practices at the Obesity Control Center®. Dr. Martinez is a speaker at both regional and national medical conferences and throughout the years has helped trained many surgeons in Lap-Band surgery.