It is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount body fat. Crtain amount of body fat is needed for heat insulation, storing energy, shock absorption and more other functions. The normal amount of body fat is (expressed as % of body fat) arround 25-30% in women and 18-23% in men. Women with over 30% body fat and men with over 23% body fat are obese.
What are health risks associated with obesity?
Obesity is not just cosmetic consideration; it is a dire health dilemma directly harmful to one's health. In US arround 300,000 deaths are directly related to obesity, and more that 80% of these deaths are in patients with a BMI (body mass index).
Obesity also increases the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including:
Insulin Resistance. Insulin is necessary for the transport of blood glucose (sugar) into the cells of muslce and fat (which is then used for energy). By transporting glucose into cells, insuling keeps the blood glucose levels in the normal range. Insulin resistance is the condition whereby the effentiveness of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) into cells is diminished.
Fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells; therefore; one important cause of insulin resistance is obesity.
Type 2 (adult - onset) diabetes. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with the degree and duration of obesity. Type 2 diabetes is associated with central obesity; a central obesity mean him/her body is sharped like an apple.
High blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is common among obese adults. A Norwegian study showed that wight gain tended to increase blood pressure in women more significantly than in men.
High Cholesterol (hymercholesterolemia)
Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
Heart attack
Congestive heart failure
Cancer
Gallstones
Gout and gouty arthritis
Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) of the knees, hips, and the lower back
Sleep apnea
Obesity is leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalance in adults and children.
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