Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse

effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems.People are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of the person's height in metres, exceeds 30 kg/m2

The surgical literature breaks down "class III" obesity into further categories whose exact values are still disputed. Any BMI 35 or 40 is severe obesity A BMI of 35 or 4044.9 or 49.9 is morbid obesity A BMI of 45 or 50 is super obesity

The Caloric Balance Equation Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance. This involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. Body weight is the result of genes, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture, and socioeconomic status. Behavior and environment play a large role causing people to be overweight and obese. These are the greatest areas for prevention and treatment actions.

Health Consequences Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as "overweight" and "obesity," the risks for the following conditions also increases: Coronary heart disease Type 2 diabetes Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon) Hypertension (high blood pressure) Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides) Stroke Liver and Gallbladder disease Sleep apnea and respiratory problems Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint) Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

Overweight and obesity and their associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the U.S. health care system.Medical costs associated with overweight and obesity may involve direct and indirect costs. Direct medical costs may include preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services related to obesity. Indirect costs relate to morbidity and mortality costs. Morbidity costs are defined as the value of income lost from decreased productivity, restricted activity, absenteeism, and bed days. Mortality costs are the value of future income lost by premature death. National Estimated Cost of Obesity The medical care costs of obesity in the United States are staggering. In 2008 dollars, these costs totaled about $147 billion

Obesity is from the Latin obesitas, which means "stout, fat, or plump." sus is the past participle of edere (to eat), with ob (over) added to it. The Greeks were the first to recognize obesity as a medical disorder.Hippocrates wrote that "Corpulence is not only a disease itself, but the harbinger of others".The Indian surgeon Sushruta (6th century BCE) related obesity to diabetes and heart disorders.He recommended physical work to help cure it and its side effects. For most of human history mankind struggled with food scarcity.Obesity has thus historically been viewed as a sign of wealth and prosperity. It was common among high officials in Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance as well as in Ancient East Asian civilizations

The healthy BMI range varies with the age and sex of the child. Obesity in children and adolescents is defined as a BMI greater than the 95th percentile.The reference data that these percentiles are based on is from 1963 to 1994 and thus has not been affected by the recent increases in rates of obesity. Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in 21st century, with rising rates in both the developed and developing world. Rates of obesity in Canadian boys have increased from 11% in 1980s to over 30% in 1990s, while during this same time period rates increased from 4 to 14% in Brazilian children

Knowing your body mass index (BMI), achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular physical activity are all actions you can take for yourself to combat obesity. Healthy Weight The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses.

Physical Activity Regular physical activity helps improve your overall health and fitness, and reduces your risk for many chronic diseases. Healthy weight loss Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits. Once you've achieved a healthy weight, by relying on healthful eating and physical activity most days of the week (about 6090 minutes, moderate intensity), you are more likely to be successful at keeping the weight off over the long term.