What is Obesity?

Regarded as a clinical condition, an obese person typically is one that suffers from a large amount of body fat. Some experts say that if a person weighs 30% more than their recommended weight, they are obese. Morbid obesity is when a person weighs 50 – 100% more than they should.

Historically, being large and corpulent was a sign of social status. The wealthy were well-fed and the term “fat” was not heard of. In recent years, being large has become associated with being fat and lazy, and many obese people are becoming social outcasts.

Health factors

Obesity can have a serious affect on your health if not treated properly. It can lead to a variety of health problems, some fatal. Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, cancer and osteoporosis are some conditions that can be caused by obesity.

Obesity can be measured a number of ways, but BMI (Body Mass Index) is the most accurate. To calculate your BMI, you divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in metres. Some say if you measure over 30, you are obese.

What causes obesity? Taking in more calories than expending them Illness Genetics Eating disorders such as anorexia Medication A sedentary lifestyle

The U.S. has the highest rate of obesity in any developing nation, with figures doubling since 1980. Numbers are also rising in the U.K. Many attribute this to today’s society, where we drive more, eat more, work more – usually behind a desk – and are more affluent.

Is there a solution?

By reversing the factors that cause obesity, we can help to fight the disease. Increasing your exercise and controlling your diet are solutions, but many doctors feel that more needs to be done in these areas. Some claim that short term weight loss is common, but that 80% of people who lose weight gain it back within five years. The answer could be in a more controlled diet and analyzing a low carbohydrate diet as opposed to a low fat diet. Drug therapy and surgery are two other alternatives, usually used in extreme cases.

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