Do you understand obesity ?
Costs of excess weight
Excess weight is a common health problem in the United States. It may also have adverse social and occupational implications in some individuals. In several occupations, excess weight may be a safety concern. The social and health consequences of excess weight lead to Americans spending over $30 billion each year in medical treatment and over the counter
weight loss efforts. Half of American women and a quarter of American men attempt to lose weight each year with variable success over the long term.
Definitions
Although "
overweight", "
obesity" and the politically correct "gravitationally challenged" terms are often used interchangeably, medical professionals have separate definitions for the first two terms.
Obesity is a more severe form of
overweight and morbid obesity is the most severe form. Nutritionists point out that someone can be near their ideal body weight and have a "normal" figure, yet be "overfat". These individuals weigh an average amount, but have low lean muscle mass and high percent body fat. Similarly, a bodybuilder may be "overweight" by standard tables, but have a very low body fat percentage, a high lean muscle mass and not be "overfat". For this discussion, the terms
overweight, overfat and obese will refer to measures of ideal body
weight and body mass index. Many other methods of calculating body fat are available including skin callipers, body circumferences, water immersion, bioelectric impedance and nuclear imaging to name a few.
Understanding obesity
Obesity (overfat) is a chronic disease that is increasing in the United States. Obesity is associated with many other diseases and makes their consequences worse. Obesity has negative social implications in our current society and sometimes connotes "fault" or lack of control. The cause of a tendency toward obesity is not defined. Intentional
weight loss is often temporary and difficult to achieve. Medications to "treat" obesity are fraught with complications. Surgery for the condition also is associated with complications and introduces other medical problems. Nutritional requirements for obese individuals attempting to
lose weight have not been well explained.
