Obesity

Overweight refers to increased body weight in relation to height, when compared to some standard of acceptable or desirable weight.

Desirable weight standards are derived in a number of ways:

• By using a mathematical formula known as Body Mass Index (BMI), which represents weight levels associated with the lowest overall risk to health. Desirable BMI levels may vary with age.
• By using actual heights and weights measured.

Obesity is defined as excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to lean body mass.

Doctors say that women with more than 30% body fat are obese and men with more than 25% body fat.

Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance. This involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity.
Body weight is the result of genes, metabolism, behaviour, environment, culture, and socioeconomic status.
Behaviour and environment play a large role causing people to be overweight and obese.

Factors contributing to obesity
Obesity and overweight are chronic conditions. Overall there are a variety of factors that play a role in obesity.
Overweight and obesity are a result of energy imbalance over a long period of time. The cause of energy imbalance for each individual may be due to a combination of several factors. Individual behaviours, environmental factors, and genetics all contribute to the complexity of the obesity epidemic.
A changing environment has broadened food options and eating habits. Pre-packed foods, fast food restaurants, and soft drinks are also more accessible. While such foods are fast and convenient they also tend to be high in fat, sugar, and calories. Choosing many foods from these areas may contribute to an excessive calorie intake.
Choosing a variety of healthy foods in the correct portion sizes is helpful for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Physical activity
It is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in an expenditure of energy with a range of activities such as: occupational work, household chores, leisure time activities.
Regular physical activity is good for overall health. Physical activity decreases the risk for colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight, contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints, and helps to relieve the pain of arthritis.

Overweight and obesity were found to be significantly associated with:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Poor health status
• And emotional problems (such as feeling depressed, rejected, shameful, unattractive)
• Obese people may face discrimination at work, at school, and in social settings.

Prevalence
The prevalence of obesity is rising to epidemic proportions at an alarming rate in both developed “Westernised” and less developed countries around the world.
For example, the prevalence of obesity has increased by about 10-50% in the majority of European countries in the last 10 years and currently affects 77% of male living in urban areas of Western Samoa in the Pacific.
The health, economic and psycho-social consequences of the increasing incidence of obesity are substantial. Obesity is associated with numerous health complications.

Methods of treatment
The method of treatment depends on your level of obesity, overall health condition, and motivation to lose weight. Treatment may include a combination of diet, exercise, behaviour modification, and sometimes weight-loss drugs. In some cases of severe obesity, gastrointestinal surgery may be recommended.
Weight control is a life-long effort.