What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat frequently resulting in a significant impairment of health. Most people who are approximately 50-75 lbs over the healthy weight range are classified as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can lead to physical, psychological and social problems.

What are the risks associated with obesity?

Psychological and social risks

• Negative Self-Image

• Social Isolation

• Discrimination by Others

An article in the April 1995 edition of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported that obesity can cause a range of psychological and emotional problems, such as negative self-image and depression. The study authors also found that obese individuals frequently experience discrimination in social and employment settings.

Issues in daily life

• Normal tasks may become harder when you are obese, as movement is more difficult.

• Obesity causes people to tire more quickly and become short of breath.

• People who are obese may be uncomfortable in situations geared toward those of normal weight, such as when sitting on public transportation, airplanes or in cars.

What are the primary causes of obesity?

Many factors can lead to obesity. The four main causes include:

• Caloric intake - To work well, your body requires the energy that comes from food. When the amount of food you eat corresponds to your daily metabolic needs and physical activity, your weight stays the same. Excess caloric intake as a result of eating food high in fat and calories, or large portions of any type of food, increases your risk of obesity.

• Heredity - Specific, rare hereditary diseases may increase the risk of obesity. There also seems to be a general tendency for obesity to run in some families, though the reason for this is not well understood.

• Metabolic disorder – Metabolism refers to how your body gets energy from food. Changes in metabolism from a disorder, such as thyroid disorder, can lead to weight gain.

• Psychological factors – Most people’s eating habits are affected by their environment (i.e., food choices and lifestyle habits). Some people eat for comfort or in times of grief or stress, often leading to a cycle of eating and dieting.

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  How does obesity

  affect Americans?

• Obesity is a disease that affects      nearly one-third of the adult          American population            (approximately 60 million people).

• The number of overweight and          obese Americans has continued to increase since 1960, a trend that continues to increase annually.

• Each year, obesity causes at least 112,000 preventable deaths in the    United States, and the annual     healthcare costs related to the      condition are approximately           $100 billion.