Public Health Problem Obesity in the United States has become a critical public health problem that has raised concerns across the nation. An estimated 97 million adults and 12.5 million children in America are obese, causing more than 160,000 “excess” deaths per year (CDC). Obesity is defined as a medical condition in which a large amount of excess body fat persists, enough to cause serious health problems. From a biological point of view, obesity is a problem of energy balance. Extra energy is stored as body fat when energy consumption exceeds energy expenditure. Obesity is characterized through Body Max Index (BMI), fat distribution, body composition measurement and insulin resistance (WHO). Obesity is a public health problem due to the complications it causes later in life. Obese individuals are more susceptible to health problems such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes, therefore they have a higher risk of mortality (WHOgoogle). Yet obesity is not only an individual problem but also a social one. In 2008, the United States spent an estimated $147 billion on obesity-related medical expenses, an increase of nearly $70 billion since 1998 (CDC). Both for the health damage it causes and the excessive costs it causes, obesity is an epidemic that must be addressed. Many factors, including genetics, lifestyle, environment and mental health, can lead to this chronic disease. Obesity is an important feature of several syndromes, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disease that causes an excessive feeling of hunger and therefore overeating. By examining certain genetic patterns, studies have also found that 80% of children of two obese parents were obese (webmedcenteral). While genetics play a role in achieving this…half of paper…it facilitates control and prevention. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/Senauer, B., & Gemma, M. (n.d.). The Food Industry Center. Why is the obesity rate so low in Japan and high in the United States? Some possible economic explanations. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/14321/1/tr06-02s.pdfUnited States National Physical Activity Plan. (n.d.). The US National Physical Activity Plan. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/theplan.phpWarner, J. (n.d.). Chronic stress unblocks fat cells, increases obesity. WebMD. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20070702/stress-unlocks-fat-cells-ups-obesityWhat causes overweight and obesity?. (2012, July 13). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/causes.html