What is obesity?
Obesity is an excess of body fat, and is one of the most common health problems in the United States. About one-fourth of all American adults are considered to be obese. Obesity is measured using a scale called a body mass index, or BMI. A BMI greater than 30 is classified as obese. Obesity doesn't affect only adults. Approximately 4.7 million (about 11 percent) of American children aged 6 to 17 are obese, a percentage that has doubled since the 1960s. Obesity can shorten your life and put you at risk of developing a number of conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Obesity is an excess of body fat, and it's one of the most common health problems in the United States. About one-third of all American adults are considered to be obese. Obesity is measured using a scale called a body mass index, or BMI, which is calculated using your weight and height. A BMI higher than 30 is classified as obese.
Obesity affects both adults and children. Approximately 9 million (about 15%) of American children aged 6 to 17 are obese, a percentage that has doubled since the 1960s.
Obesity can shorten your life and put you at risk of developing a number of conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. Many other health risks are higher for people who are obese, and the risks may increase as the degree of obesity increases. People who carry extra weight around their waist, rather than in their legs and thighs, may be more likely to experience health problems caused by obesity.
People become obese for a number of reasons. Often, several of these factors are involved. Some of the most common reasons for obesity are:
Weight reduction is achieved by consuming fewer calories and increasing activity and exercise.
Structured approaches and therapies to reduce weight include:
- A modified diet :- A reasonable weight loss goal is one to two pounds weekly, which can usually be achieved by eating 500 to 1,000 fewer calories daily. Whether you concentrate on eating less fat or fewer carbohydrates is a matter of personal choice. Fats have more than twice as many calories per ounce than carbohydrates or protein. If you cut out carbohydrates, you still need to limit fat and choose healthy fats, such as monosaturated and polyunsaturated oils.
- Regular exercise :- U.S. health experts currently recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise daily, such as walking. Add more activity during the day by taking the stairs and getting up often from your desk or sofa.
- Nonprescription diet pills :- In general, over-the-counter diet pills contain ingredients that can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It is not clear how effective they are in producing weight loss that can be maintained over time. Common side effects include feeling jittery and nervous and having heart palpitations. Over-the-counter diet pills containing phenylpropanolamine have been taken off the market because this ingredient is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Diet pills with other ingredients also may elevate blood pressure, and some experts believe they may be associated with an increased risk of stroke.
- Prescription diet pills :- These include orlistat (Xenical), which decreases the absorption of dietary fat by 30%, amphetamine derivatives, and sibutramine (Meridia). To help you lose weight, your doctor may prescribe medications along with a calorie-restricted diet. However, almost all people regain weight when they stop using these medications. The effects of long-term use of these drugs have not been determined.
- Surgery :- If obesity is severe (a BMI greater than 40), your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to limit the amount of food your body can digest. One procedure is called gastroplasty, also known as stomach stapling. A surgeon creates a small pouch in the stomach that allows only limited amounts of food to be eaten at one time.
Call your doctor if you need help losing weight or if you have any of the symptoms or complications of obesit