Although the exact definition of
obesity is somewhat controversial, it can be explained
as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. The term
obesity implies an excess of adipose (connective tissue
packed with fat cells), but the meaning of excess
is hard to define as well. Obesity is any degree of
excess adiposity that creates a health risk. Obesity
is an epidemic in the United States and continues
to increase among men and women of all races and socioeconomic
groups. Twenty to 30 percent of adult men and 30 to
40 percent of adult women are obese, with the highest
rates among the lower income and minority groups.
Approximately 300,000 people die of obesity every
year in this country and it is now the second most
preventable cause of death. Even mildly overweight
people are at increased risk of a wide range of health
problems. Because of the frequency of obesity and
its health consequences, its prevention and treatment
should be a higher public health priority.
The consequences are not only medical.
Excess body fat can also hinder your social and personal
relationships, thus causing emotional stress. You
may also face difficulty in finding employment, and
must bear the trouble and expense of obtaining special
clothing. In all these ways and more, obesity makes
it difficult for you to have a normal happy and healthy
life.
Causes
Obesity is a condition, not a character
flaw. The most important cause of obesity is a person's
genetics. It is the one thing relative to obesity
that a person can't change. Another important cause
is
a person's lifestyle. That includes eating habits
and exercise patterns.
Health Risks
Obesity can cause a wide variety
of health problems including:
a.) Cardiovascular disease, including
sudden death, stroke, congestive heart failure and
coronary artery disease
b.) Hypertension
c.) Type II diabetes
d.) Colon cancer
e.) A variety of pulmonary complications
f.) Musculoskeletal problems, including
degenerative joint and disc disease
g.) Chronic venous insufficiency
and leg ulcers
h.) Gastroesophageal reflux disease,
liver and gallbladder disease
i.) Reproductive abnormalities and
infertility
j.) Depression, poor self-esteem
and isolation
The severely obese have a far greater
risk of dying before age 45 than the average medium
build person.
Obesity has a direct relationship
to the development of heart disease in both men and
women due to the increase in body fat distribution.
Hypertension is approximately three times more common
in obese than normal weight persons. This relationship
is simply due to the fact that when weight increases,
so does blood pressure.
