Definition of ObesityWhat is the definition of obesity? How do you know when you have crossed over the line from being overweight to being obese? It is generally accepted that for a woman, when body weight is 20% above what is considered the normal range for a person's height, she is obese. For men, it is 25% above normal range. Just as with BMI you need to consider your body type. If your BMI is 30 or above you are obese. A definition of obesity needs to include the body mass index, your weight, observation and whether you are experiencing health concerns. If you are 20% - 25% above the recommended weight for your height and if your BMI is over 30, you are obese and at risk for many serious diseases including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and even cancer! Since an amazing 2/3 or 66% of American adults are overweight these days according to the Centers for Disease Control and 33% are obese, we know that Americans are getting fatter and fatter! A Health and Human Services study has shown that poor diets and inactivity rose by an appalling 33% in the past decade. Poor choices and probably a lack of available and affordable nutritious food are leading us down the road to disease and extreme health costs. Since obesity kills 300,000 people every year we had better know when we cross the line to a condition doctors now call a disease.
Signs of ObesityWe can all agree that when a fat person becomes obese it creates a serious medical problem. Conversely, if you have medical problems due to excess fat you may be obese. So what are some of the signs of obesity? The following are characteristics that are often associated with obesity and could be indicators that you are not just overweight but headed for disease.Signs of obesity include increased stress on your back and your legs that can cause great discomfort. Do you have sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, stress, incontinence, menstrual irregularities, excess facial hair and depression in addition to carrying extra weight? It may be time to consult with a doctor who uses the glycemic index, specializes in the care of obesity and will individualize a program for you. There are doctors who see surgery as the most invasive treatment and will recommend it only as a last resort. Metabolic disorders that lead to a biochemical imbalance may be balanced again with correct eating.
Childhood Obesity FactsAccording to Dr. Gil Kaats, Director of the Health and Medical Research Foundation, in children 6 years to 11 years old the number of children who were overweight rose to 18% in 2004. In children 12 years old to 17 years old 15% of them were overweight in 2004. In 1968 the numbers were 5% in each age category.Just 5 years later in 2009 the Associated Press reported this staggering statistic - one in 5 American 4 year olds is obese! The numbers are going up at a much higher rate. It is worse for American Indian children with one third of them obese. Obesity is also more common in Latino and African American youngsters. These childhood obesity facts are truly alarming. Why do we see a dramatic increase in poor eating habits, more inactivity and the resulting increase in numbers of fat people and even obesity in children? This story about obesity begins with the definition of obesity, the signs of obesity and what's going on with children. Now we need to understand the cause and effect of obesity. Cause and Effect of ObesityGo from Definition of Obesity to Home.
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