What is Obesity?

The definition of obesity varies depending on what one reads, but in general, it is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount body fat. A certain amount of body fat is necessary for storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions.

 If you have an "apple shape" -- a so-called, "potbelly" or "spare tire" -- you carry more fat in and around your abdominal organs. Fat deposited primarily around your middle increases your risk of many of the serious conditions associated with obesity.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. One in three Americans is obese. The prevalence of obesity in children has increased markedly, with approximately 20%-25 % of children either overweight or obese. Obesity is also increasing rapidly throughout the world, and the incidence of obesity nearly doubled form 1991 to 1998.

BMI- Body Mass Index

The most common measure of obesity is the body mass index or BMI. A person is considered overweight if his or her BMI is between 25 and 29.9; a person is considered obese if his or her BMI is over 30."Morbid obesity" has a BMI of 40 or higher, or is sufficiently overweight to severely interfere with health or normal function.The calculation of body mass index (BMI) has also been used in the definition of obesity.

 The body mass index (BMI) equals a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m) squared.

Since BMI describes body weight relative to height, it is strongly correlated with total body fat content in adults. "Obesity" is defined as a BMI of 30 and above.The BMI is a statistical measurement derived from your height and weight. Although it is considered to be a useful way to estimate healthy body weight, it does not measure the percentage of body fat.

Causes of Obesity

Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns. For many people this boils down to eating too much and exercising too little. But there are other factors that also play a role in obesity.

These may include: Age, Gender, Genetics, Environmental factors, Illness, Medication, Overeating, Physical inactivity, A diet high in simple carbohydrates, Frequency of eating, Slow metabolism, Psychological factors, Diseases such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing's syndrome, Ethnicity, Childhood weight and Hormones.

One of the most painful aspects of obesity may be the emotional suffering it causes. Great emphasis is placed on physical appearance, often equating attractiveness with slimness or muscularity. In addition, many people wrongly stereotype obese people as gluttonous, lazy, or both. However, more and more evidence contradicts this assumption. Obese people often face prejudice or discrimination at work, at school, while looking for a job, and in social situations. Feelings of rejection, shame, or depression are common.

Health risks associated with Obesity

Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration; it is a dire health dilemma directly harmful to one's health. For patients with a BMI over 40, life expectancy is reduces significantly (as much as 20 years for men and 5 years for women ).

Bone and cartilage degeneration (Osteoarthritis), Coronary heart disease, Gallbladder disease, High blood pressure (Hypertension), High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), Respiratory problems, Several cancers, Sleep apnea, Stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA), Type 2 diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Heart attack, Congestive heart failure, Gallstones, Gout and gouty arthritis.

Treatment for Obesity

Before you begin treatment, decide if you are ready to make the lifestyle changes needed to lose weight. Losing weight and maintaining weight loss can be hard. And it may be hard to find the motivation if you have lost and regained weight several times. Think about successes that you had before and how you were able to achieve them.

Eating fewer calories while increasing activity is the best way to lose weight. Learn more about popular diets for obesity, such as the Zone, Atkins, and Sugar Busters diets.
Plan your meals, which helps you eat regular meals and a balanced, nutritious diet. It can also save you money when shopping. Stay with your new diet by eating small serving sizes and not skipping meals.

Increasing activity: Physical activity helps you burn more calories. One of the best ways to increase your activity is by walking. It is an activity that most people can do safely and routinely alone or with family members, friends, coworkers, or pets. And it is easy to work into a daily schedule. Talk with your doctor before starting a fitness program. If you have arthritis, you will need to find an activity that does not stress your joints.

Stress, family, your environment, and other influences can affect your progress. If you stray from your plan one day, get back on track the next day. Research shows that people who keep track of what they eat and drink each day have more success at losing weight. Start a food journal, and record everything you eat and drink.

If you have easy access to a lot of high-fat, high-sugar, tasty foods, it is tempting to eat them. Take a look at your environment, and see what causes you to eat more than you need. Try eating only at the kitchen table. Avoid eating in front of the television or the computer, at your desk, or while driving your car. Chew gum while you cook so that you will not be tempted to snack on the ingredients. Plan for meals and snacks to eat at times when you know you will be hungry. The goal is to eat when you are hungry and not eat when you are not hungry.

If your body mass index is over 40 or if it is 35 or higher and you have a serious medical problem that is made worse by your weight, one of the following surgeries may be an option:
Stomach stapling (vertical banded gastroplasty) or gastric banding. Both make your stomach smaller.
Roux-en-Y bypass or biliopancreatic diversion not only make your stomach smaller but also limit how much food is absorbed in the small intestine.

Weight-loss medicines are not prescribed alone. Diet changes and physical activity are needed for keeping weight off long-term. Without these, when medicine is stopped, weight will return. Medicines for weight loss include orlistat, and phentermine. These drugs work by making you feel full sooner, lowering your appetite, or limiting the amount of fat your body can absorb.