Obesity

Obesity is a significant chronic disease involving excess body fat that may damage health. An adult is considered to have obesity if he or she has a Body Mass Index(BMI) of 30 or greater. Severe obesity (BMI 40 or above). Obesity is the excess fat accumulation which disturbs the normal metabolism, unlike ordinary overweight.

This condition happens when we eat more calories than we burn via exercise and daily activities. The excess calories are deposited as fat. Several factors, including genetics, diet, physical activity, sex, ethnicity, certain medications, and medical conditions, influence a person's weight.

Obesity raises the risk of potentially life-threatening consequences such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis, sleep apnoea, fertility issues, and some malignancies (endometrial, breast, colon). Carrying extra fat makes the heart work harder, strains joints, and increases the risk of premature death.

Obesity impacts more than 2 in 5 adults in the United States and has a disproportionate effect on non-Hispanic Black adults and adults with less education. It affects almost 93 million Americans, and obesity is fingered in approximately 112,000 deaths annually. Childhood obesity is especially alarming, with 9 million adolescents affected; 70% will remain obese as adults.
Obesity costs the U.S. more than $117 billion a year, and obese persons spend $1,244 more on medical care than those of a healthy weight. Treatment involves sustained calorie reduction, increased physical activity, and sometimes medical intervention.