Monthly Archives: August 2009

Obesity in America

obesity in america figureObesity in America facts : – Obesity is a life threatening disease affecting 34% of adults in the U.S.; and nearly 67% of adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese.
- Between 2000 and 2005, obesity (BMI ?30) increased by 24%, morbid obesity (BMI ? 40) increased by 50% and super obesity (BMI ? 50) increased by 75%
- In 2007, only one state (Colorado) had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; three of these Read more …

Causes of Obesity

causes-of-obesity-figureCauses of obesity, briefly described below are several contributing causes on obesity.

Diet
A high-fat diet can certainly contribute to an increased risk for obesity. In fact, the body notoriously becomes more efficient at meeting challenges. The body may, in a high-fat diet, learn to store fat more easily–which would increase one’s body fat percentage.

Genetics
It is well established through “twin studies” research that genetics plays a role in obesity. Identical twins, who have the same genetic makeup, are more likely to be obese than are Read more …

Cause and Effect of Obesity

cause-and-effect-of-obesity-figureCause and effect of obesity do not come simply from eating too much, while not exercising enough. But obesity is much more complicated than that. Obesity is caused when something goes very wrong with your metabolism and sets up a vicious cycle. To break this cycle of obesity, you have to first understand how your metabolism works.

Obesity can result from a minor energy imbalance, which lead to a gradual but persistent weight gain over a considerable period. Some researchers have hypothesized that energy imbalance is the result Read more …

Definition Of Obesity

definition-of-obesity-figureDefinition of obesity, obesity occurs when the weight exceeds 120% of the median weight for height.

Other definition of obesity :
1. Obesity is a state in which there is an abnormally great amount of neutral fat in the storage depot of the body. Objective measures used to estimate the degree of obesity are the table of average weights, ideal weight tables, Body Mass Index and measurement of skin fold thickness.

2. Obesity has been defined as an abnormal accumulation of body fat in proportion to body size. Overweight Read more …

Signs of Obesity

signs-of-obesity-figureSigns of obesity :
•    Increased weight
•    Thickness around the midsection
•    Obvious areas of fat deposits
•    Poor linear growth (hypothyroidism, cushing’s, prader-willi syndrome)
•    Dysmorphic features (genetic disorders, including prader-willi syndrome)
•    Acanthosis nigricans (NIDDM, insulin resistance)
•    Hirsutism and excessive acne (polycystic ovary syndrome)
•    Violaceous striae (Cushing’s syndrome)
•    Papilledema, cranial nerve VI paralysis (pseudomotor cerebri)
•    Tonsillar tenderness (Sleep apnea)
•    Abdominal tenderness (Gall bladder diseae, GERD, NAFLD)
•    Hepatomegaly (Nonalcoholic fatty liver diseae (NAFLD))
•    Underscended testicle (prader-willi syndrome)
•    Limited hip Read more …