Obesity is not just about being excessively overweight and looking unattractive. It is a medical problem that can pose a serious threat to the health of an obese person. Today obesity is rising in epidemic proportions worldwide, in developed as well as in developing nations.
In simple terms, obesity means having disproportionately large amounts of fat tissue in the body. The extra body weight due to this fat puts constant excessive strain on the joints and bones of the legs, resulting in arthritis. Moreover, being overweight tends to restrict the mobility of an obese person, making him or her gain still more weight.
Except for in some cases where being excessively overweight is due to an underlying medical condition, most people become like this due to wrong lifestyle and wrong food choices, in other words, lack of physical activity and eating heaps of high-fat, low-fiber, calorie-dense but low-nutrition refined and processed foods.
All these factors give rise to a whole range of cardiovascular diseases, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hardening and blockage of arteries, heart disease, stroke, and so on.
Another problem that obese people face is sleep apnea, which is temporary cessation of breathing during sleep, which can be quite serious. And, did you know that weighing too much also increases your risk for type II diabetes and some types of cancers?
Here now is some good news: however alarming obesity may sound, it is treatable to a significant extent by making lifestyle changes alone. But you must put in your sincerest efforts and be immensely patient. If you decide to do something about your weight problem, do so with professional help. See your family doctor as soon as you can.
How is obesity recognized?
Medical professionals assess obesity with a special measure called the body mass index (BMI), calculated by dividing your body weight in kilogram by square of your height in meter. This concept of measuring very overweight people was developed by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian scientist, in 1840. A BMI of 30 or more for women and 25 or more for men is considered obesity.
Obesity is also reflected in your waist size. Doctors warn that a waist size of over 35 in women and 40 in men spells obesity associated dangers to health. So, if you are falling in the obese category, make up your mind to fight the battle of the bulge immediately for a long and healthy life. See your doctor and take the necessary steps to lose weight while you still have the chance. You can do it!