NURS-FPX 8045 Doctoral Writing and Professional Practice ​​​​​​​Nursing Project Proposal & Communication Assessment Synthesis of Obesity Evidence: An Overview

Obesity is a complex, progressive, and recurring chronic condition characterized by abnormal or excessive body fat, adversely affecting health and well-being. Recognized as a growing epidemic, it is defined by a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30 kg m^−2, with morbid obesity classified as a BMI of 30 kg m^−2 or higher. The prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen from 4.6% in 1980 to 14.0% in 2019, impacting 42% of adults and resulting in healthcare expenditures of $3.8 trillion in 2019. Despite its acknowledgment as a chronic disease, obesity remains significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated.