by In recent years, the global obesity epidemic has reached alarming levels, with the number of people affected steadily increasing. Denmark, in particular, has seen a doubling of obesity rates since 2010. Professor Emeritus Thorkild I. A. Sørensen has conducted extensive research on this topic and proposes a new theory to explain the origins and driving forces behind this crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and health authorities worldwide have recognized the obesity epidemic as a major public health crisis. It is projected that soon, one billion out of the world’s 8 billion population will suffer from obesity. However, this crisis did not suddenly emerge overnight. According to Sørensen, the obesity epidemic began even before World War Two, indicating that it has been a long time in the making.
Sørensen’s research is based on historical data from large national health registers in Denmark, some dating back to the 1930s and 40s. These registers contain information on the weight and height of schoolchildren and young men in the Copenhagen area, recorded during their conscription examinations. The data revealed a pattern where the heaviest 25% of children born in the 1930s continued to gain more weight compared to their peers as they grew older. This trend was also observed in the young men undergoing conscription examination. Sørensen suggests that this group of individuals is affected by an unknown process, which has fueled the growing obesity epidemic.
The question that remains unanswered is what triggers this process and why the body chooses to store calories as fat. While genetics play a role in determining an individual’s propensity to store fat, it cannot explain the rapid increase in obesity worldwide. Something in our environment has changed, influencing the body’s natural functions and metabolism. Sørensen hypothesizes that the accessibility of abundant food and a decrease in the prevalence of starvation may have paved the way for the obesity epidemic. However, this alone does not provide a complete explanation.
Current explanations for obesity often center around individuals consuming more calories than they expend through physical activity. However, Sørensen argues that this oversimplifies the issue. Studies have shown that when individuals increase their food intake, they may gain weight, but they also easily lose it once they return to a normal diet. In contrast, the obesity process involves the body holding onto fat and resisting efforts to lose it. The prevailing belief that people with obesity simply need to eat less and exercise more is flawed and fails to address the underlying causes.
Sørensen proposes that there is a close relationship between obesity and our social surroundings. He suggests that the brain, in response to social challenges and uncertainty about food availability, may signal the body to store excess fat as a safeguard against potential starvation. This theory aligns with research showing that individuals tend to store extra fat when they are uncertain about food security, even when there is an abundance of food. Furthermore, Sørensen believes that societal prejudices, stigmatization, and discrimination against people with obesity exacerbate the problem, as individuals respond to these negative attitudes by gaining even more weight.
To address the obesity epidemic, Sørensen suggests that fighting prejudice, stigmatization, and discrimination should be part of the solution. This recognition of the psychosocial aspects of obesity may help mitigate the underlying triggers that contribute to weight gain. By understanding the complex interplay between our social environment, psychological factors, and the body’s biological responses, targeted interventions can be developed to tackle this pervasive global health issue.
In conclusion, the obesity epidemic is not a recent phenomenon but has been developing for decades. While genetics and increased food accessibility play a role in obesity, they cannot fully explain the rapid rise in obesity rates worldwide. Sørensen’s theory suggests that the brain’s response to social challenges and a fear of food scarcity may trigger the body to store excess fat. Addressing societal prejudices and discrimination may be key to combating the obesity crisis. It is imperative to continue researching and understanding the multifaceted nature of obesity to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
