Obesity in Adults

Adult obesity is moving to the top of the list as the nations #1 killer. As Americans continue to eat themselves to death being overweight may soon pass up tobacco the leading cause of death according to a U.S. government study.

The fat is broken down in different ways in the body. It is quite important to determine the fat distribution, as the impact on health is not the same depending on the location of overweight. In obesity or overweight type female (gynecoid), excess fat is located at the hips, buttocks and legs. In obesity or overweight type male (android), excess fat is located at the abdominal organs on the abdominal wall and sometimes on the upper back. There are also mixed types, especially when obesity is very important.

Obesity is often used for comic effect but the actual definition of condition of being obese is increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat. Calculating Body Mass Index or BMI can determine the difference between overweight and obese by using height and weight of a particular person. Both terms are considered beyond the weight that is considered healthy for a given height. BMI categories are:

• Underweight = <18.5

• Normal weight = 18.5-24.9

• Overweight = 25-29.9

• Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Causes of Obesity:

- In scientific terms, obesity occurs because a person's caloric intake from food exceeds the amount of energy he or she burns. The input surpasses the output leading to depositions of fat in the body. Though the exact causes of this imbalance between consuming and burning calories are unclear, there are some reasons that might be responsible for obesity.

- Genetic factors: Obesity tends to run in families, suggesting that it may have a genetic cause. However, family members share not only genes but also diet and lifestyle habits that may contribute to obesity. Separating these lifestyle factors from genetic ones is often difficult. Still, mounting evidence points to heredity as a strong determining factor for obesity.

- Environmental factors: People who feel that their genes have doomed them to a lifetime of obesity should take heart. Although genes are an important factor in many cases of obesity, a person's environment also plays a significant part. The environment includes lifestyle behaviors such as what and how often a person eats, and how active he or she is. Modern Indians tend to have high-fat diets, often putting taste and convenience ahead of nutritional value when choosing meals. In addition, most urban Indians don't get enough physical exercise.

- In addition, a number of medications, or steroids, and antidepressants can lead to obesity. Furthermore, women who are taking the contraceptive pill are also inclined to gain excess weight, along with anybody attempting to quit smoking, due to an increased appetite.

- No physically activity.

Diet and exercise are the best ways to combat obesity. Changing eating habits, less snacking and making healthier choices are also needed to make changes to your weight and health. Don't be taken in by those "fad diets" and metabolism stimulators. Weight Loss takes some work and effort on your part but the results are worth it.