(By Dr. Catherine Welford Varney, assistant professor with the Department of Family Medicine) Since 1975, worldwide obesity has nearly tripled and currently contributes to more than 5 million deaths each year. The disease, which is defined as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health,” affects one of every three adults — or about 36% of the population. What’s more, a staggering 39 million children under the age of 5 had overweight or obesity in 2020.