OBESITY RATES TAKE OVER: According to a report released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity rates in America seem to have remained constant for the last five years. Unfortunately, the numbers have stabilized at very high rates. Data shows that almost 34 percent of adults are obese. This is more than double the numbers 30 years ago. Even more shocking is the number of obese children, which has nearly tripled to a staggering 17 percent. According to the CDC, in an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a person is considered obese if their body mass index is 30 or higher. Obesity.org states that not one state in the US met their goal of 15 percent obesity for the Healthy People 2010 objective. In a 2007 poll from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 25.6% of respondents were obese. In addition, 26.4% of men and 24.8% of women were obese. Obesity prevalence has shown to be stronger in the south (27.3%) and lower in the northeast (24.4%). The west has the lowest obesity rates (23.1%). “The equation is simple. Whether a person is overweight or not depends on the difference between the amounts of energy consumed versus expended. To control weight, Americans must engage in both healthy eating and regular physical activity,” says Charlene Burgeson, health scientist in CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health.

WHY A PANNICULECTOMY?: According to Dr. Susan Downey, the most notable pains from pannus growth are lower back pain, rashes and gangrene. “A Panniculectomy removes only the overlying skin and fat, while an Abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) not only removes the hanging skin and fat, but the skin of the entire abdomen is tightened up and the muscles underneath are also tightened up,” says Dr. Downey.

MAKE IT STOP!: What can you do to prevent obesity and the possibility of a Panniculectomy? Dr. Robin T.W. Yuan, a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon, suggests to first set a “target” lifestyle which you wish to achieve and maintain it, along with a stable weight, for at least 6 months. Steady exercise each day or every other day as well as healthy eating are also good ways to ensure you are living a healthy life.