Obesity Overview: Causes, Epidemiology, Mortality, and Autopsy

Abstract

Obesity is now recognized as a major health epidemic in the United States and around the world, both in adults and children, and has coincided with the increase in the availability of high calorie/low nutrient foods and changes in lifestyle, particularly the decrease in physical activity. Obese individuals have shorter life spans, increased risk for sudden cardiac death and a number of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, venous thromboembolism and respiratory dysfunction, which can negatively affect their quality of life. The increased prevalence of obesity has affected every field of medicine and the costs of treating obesity and its complications are staggering. Forensic pathology has been impacted as well, with obese and morbidly obese decedents posing major technical and practical challenges in transport, handling and autopsy procedures. This article will review the epidemiology and causes of obesity and address the impact of obesity on mortality and the everyday practice of forensic pathology.