Obesity And Overweight

The term obesity and overweight refers to overall increase of individual’s weight. Overweight refers to excess of body weight mainly in muscles, fats, bones and or as water. Obesity refers to more amount of excess body fat. However both overweight and obesity are referred as excessive or abnormal fat accumulated and it may repair health and its effects. Body mass index refers to simple index where the weight and height variations are clearly shown. Based on body mass index the adults are classified as obesity and overweight. In general body mass index is the ratio of individual’s weight expressed in kilograms divided by square of height expressed in meters. The unit of body mass index is kg/m². The world health organization defines obesity and overweight as follows. The individual with body mass index more than or equal to 25 is referred as overweight. The individual with body mass index more than or equal to 30 is referred as obesity.

The body mass index shall provide more useful information’s on population measure of obesity and overweight because it is same for both male and female and common for all age groups. This should be considered as guideline as degree of fatness in variable in different individuals. The obesity and overweight are classified as fifth risk to an individual all over the globe. The reason for obesity and overweight may be due to imbalanced energy in between consumed calories and expended calories. The energy dense foods intake may be high. The foods may be rich in sugars and less in vitamins. Mode of transportation also changes and thereby increases the urbanization. The other reason is decreased physical activity. The changes in dietary control and physical activity are coupled with societal changes and environmental changes. The increased BMI increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease and cancers.

Questions:

• What is obesity & overweight?
• What are causes for obesity and overweight?
• Brief out general consequence of obesity and overweight?