Obesity is a medical condition that occurs when the body stores
enough excess fat to pose a health risk to the individual. People are
considered obese when their body weight exceeds 20% of the normal weight
for a person of the same height and gender (often, a BMI of 30).
Morbid obesity usually means the person is 50% above the normal weight or has a BMI of 40 or higher. How dangerous is obesity? Obesity is considered the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. In addition, being obese can reduce a person's lifestyle through limited mobility, sleep apnea, lower back pain, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, social stigmatization, and other discomforting conditions.
Obesity is associated with a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and metabolic syndrome. Large-scale health studies indicate that the risk of dying is lowest for people with a BMI of 20 - 25 (the "normal" range). People with a BMI above 32 have a mortality rate double that of the normal BMI range. Obesity is estimated to reduce life expectancy by six to seven years (on average). In the United States, obesity is responsible for up to 1,000 deaths each day or 365,000 deaths per year. In Europe, this number is close to 1 million obesity-related deaths per year.
Furthermore, excess body weight is an important risk factor for many other physical and mental illnesses. Having a BMI greater than 30 doubles a person's risk of congestive heart failure and increases the risk of hypertension by 5 times. Obesity is also associated with higher LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Excess body weight can also lead to infertility in both men and women. Plus, women who are obese during pregnancy often see more complications, including infection, hemorrhage, and birth defects. In addition, ischemic strokes are more prevalent in individuals with higher BMIs. And a recent study in Britain found that around 5% of cancer cases are due to excess weight. The most common obesity-causing cancers include breast, liver, stomach, prostate, kidney, and cervical cancers.
Everyone recognizes the negative consequences of obesity in the general population.
Interestingly enough, health outcomes can be improved without drastic changes in weight. Research shows that overweight people in physically fit condition are actually less likely to die than normal-weight individuals who are not physically fit. The takeaway is that although excessive body fat is unhealthy, dropping the weight immediately is not necessarily the best outcome. Becoming more physically fit through exercise has a greater positive impact on health than just surgically removing the fat. By engaging in stimulating workouts and eating a smart diet, you can greatly improve your health while losing weight.
Morbid obesity usually means the person is 50% above the normal weight or has a BMI of 40 or higher. How dangerous is obesity? Obesity is considered the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. In addition, being obese can reduce a person's lifestyle through limited mobility, sleep apnea, lower back pain, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, social stigmatization, and other discomforting conditions.
Obesity is associated with a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and metabolic syndrome. Large-scale health studies indicate that the risk of dying is lowest for people with a BMI of 20 - 25 (the "normal" range). People with a BMI above 32 have a mortality rate double that of the normal BMI range. Obesity is estimated to reduce life expectancy by six to seven years (on average). In the United States, obesity is responsible for up to 1,000 deaths each day or 365,000 deaths per year. In Europe, this number is close to 1 million obesity-related deaths per year.
Furthermore, excess body weight is an important risk factor for many other physical and mental illnesses. Having a BMI greater than 30 doubles a person's risk of congestive heart failure and increases the risk of hypertension by 5 times. Obesity is also associated with higher LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. Excess body weight can also lead to infertility in both men and women. Plus, women who are obese during pregnancy often see more complications, including infection, hemorrhage, and birth defects. In addition, ischemic strokes are more prevalent in individuals with higher BMIs. And a recent study in Britain found that around 5% of cancer cases are due to excess weight. The most common obesity-causing cancers include breast, liver, stomach, prostate, kidney, and cervical cancers.
Everyone recognizes the negative consequences of obesity in the general population.
Interestingly enough, health outcomes can be improved without drastic changes in weight. Research shows that overweight people in physically fit condition are actually less likely to die than normal-weight individuals who are not physically fit. The takeaway is that although excessive body fat is unhealthy, dropping the weight immediately is not necessarily the best outcome. Becoming more physically fit through exercise has a greater positive impact on health than just surgically removing the fat. By engaging in stimulating workouts and eating a smart diet, you can greatly improve your health while losing weight.
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