Defining Obesity - A National Epidemic

Most people know if they are obese they carry too much body fat. But what exactly distinguishes someone with obesity from someone that is carrying around a few extra pounds?

It is important to realize carrying around too much weight is different from obesity. If someone is "overweight" they carry around too much fat, at least, that is how the National Institutes of Health defines overweight.

When someone is obese, they have gained enough weight over time to have a body mass index above 30.0.

Body Mass Index BMI & Obesity
BMI or body mass index is a tool doctors use to assess how healthy a persons weight is. The National Institutes of Health with The American Heart Association recommend a person have a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 to remain healthy. A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 suggests someone is overweight.

Obesity occurs at 30.0 and above. On the opposite end of the spectrum, someone that is underweight may have a BMI under 18.5. Being underweight can do just as much damage as being overweight, so most people should have a goal of maintaining a healthy weight and BMI within "normal" ranges.

Keep in mind, many factors influence your weight, including your height, bone mass and muscle mass. Someone that is very skinny may appear thin but may learn they have more body fat than normal. This is very common among thin people that do not exercise.

Alternately, someone may weigh more than another but have less body fat and thus, be healthier for it. The BMI is often a better predictor of body fat and obesity than weight alone. Keep in mind however any instrument that assesses body fat to weight is not perfect. The BMI measurement for example, might mistakenly categorize someone that is very fit with lots of muscle mass as being "overweight" or even "obese" because the muscles they have weigh much more than fat would.

A trained nutritionist or physician can help you determine whether your weight and body mass index are appropriate for your age and lifestyle. Other health professionals including a physiologist, a psychiatrist or psychologist and/or an exercise physiologist may work with you to help you overcome obesity and maintain a healthier weight.

Obesity Outlook
Now more so than ever before people are becoming overweight at increasingly younger ages. If a child is overweight or becomes obese, the odds they will suffer complications from obesity are very high as they grow into young adults.

It is important parents and other caregivers work with children and parents to develop a healthy lifestyle to overcome obesity before it becomes a lifelong problem. There are many treatments for obesity. They type of treatment a physician recommends will depend on age, overall health and other factors.

Preventing Obesity
The best way to approach obesity is through prevention. Healthy eating habits should start early in life. Many people gain weight at certain stages of their life. If you find you start gaining weight, or notice extra fat around your waist, it is important you consider your diet and exercise levels as key indicators of your overall health and wellness.

Be sure to stock the refrigerator with plenty of healthy, wholesome foods including fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind if you do struggle with weight, you will gain weight if you consume more calories than you burn in a day. This is true even if you eat "healthy" foods. Part of preventing obesity involves learning to recognize your true hunger signals before your weight spirals out of control.