America is fat, and getting fatter. Approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million of them are obese and 9 million severely obese, according to the American Obesity Association (AOA). Why?

“Never had [there been] a time in our history where we don’t need to move a muscle to live,” explains Dr. Warren Peters, assistant professor of medicine at Loma Linda University and director for the Center for Health Promotion. 

After studying the genetics of obesity, Peters found that obesity is a chronic relapsing disease for which there is no cure—it can only be controlled. 

A recent report from the AOA included a statement before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Government Reform stating, “Obesity is not a behavior; obesity is excess adipose tissue.”  The report continues, “Obesity is a disease because it meets any rational definition of ‘disease’.”

However, DeWitt Williams, director for Health Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America notes that looking at obesity as a disease may not be accurate. He explains that the foundational principle of maintaining a healthy weight is self-control. He says that in most cases, “the epidemic of obesity is an epidemic of inactivity and poor nutritional choices.”

This view is supported by the National Center for Health Statistics and others.

“Faulty genes may load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger!” says Gwen Foster, health and fitness expert for the city of Philadelphia.

Regardless of any disagreement on how to classify obesity these experts agree that it is a serious health problem. The AOA says, “Obesity is relatively uncommon in African and Asian developing countries, although when present, it is more prevalent in urban than in rural populations.”

“This is the first generation that won’t live as long as their parents,” say Foster. “[Obesity] is fast becoming the leading risk factor for most of the chronic diseases.” 

A national newspaper, USA Today, reported that for the first time since 1900, when life expectancy rates were first recorded, a reversal in life expectancy is possible if current predictions about obesity are accurate.

Andrews University wellness professor and lifestyle and longevity researcher Dr. Peter Pribis explains that obesity is associated with 16 different kinds of disease, diabetes being the most severe.  Diabetes accounts for the number one cause of blindness in developing countries and the number one cause of amputations in developed countries. 

One problem with obesity, explains Pribis, is that young people today encounter obesity complications early, during their productive years.

So what can be done to help those struggling with obesity? Peters warns, “the typical health education model is not [going to] solve the problem.  We all get heavy for different reasons so one prescription doesn’t fit everyone.”

Williams says that one way to deal with this problem is to practice health principles that the Adventist church has long advocated. The church identifies the following principles as important to good health: nutrition, exercise, water, sunlight, air, rest, and trust in God.  Williams adds that self-control, portion control, fiber, caloric intake, breakfast consumption, water intake and eating a plant-based diet are key to warding off obesity. 

Since 2000 when Foster was charged with making Philadelphia healthier, she has encouraged city residents to participate in fun activities and disengage themselves from destructive lifestyle patterns. Foster developed the “Fun, Fit & Free” initiative to increase awareness of the problem of obesity and being overweight.  The initiative addressed Philadelphia’s risk factors: alcohol, television watching, overweight/sedentary, and junk food. According to Foster this initiative has reached more than 26,000 people residing in the Philadelphia area, helping them choose more active and nutritious lifestyles.

Foster’s program has moved Philadelphia from the head of the list as the fattest city in the nation down to 23rd place.  Foster’s success is attributed to 10 steps, which if utilized properly could reduce the risk factors for chronic diseases.  The principles range from eating more fruits and vegetables to scheduling a time for rest and play. Foster’s program closely reflect those of the Adventist church’s stance on health.

Karla Hill, who participated in the program, says, “the Fun, Fit and Free program provided the platform from which I launched a total lifestyle change.  Over the course of the past 10 months, I have lost a total of 51 pounds by transitioning from a meat dominated diet to a plant dominated diet, exercising regularly, and drinking more water.”