Definition of Obesity

Definition of Obesity:

Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an
individual's ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness,
disability, and death.

Description
Obesity traditionally has been defined as a weight at least 20% above the weight
corresponding to the lowest death rate for individuals of a specific height, gender,
and age (ideal weight). Twenty to forty percent over ideal weight is considered
mildly obese; 40–100% over ideal weight is considered moderately obese; and
100% over ideal weight is considered severely, or morbidly, obese. More recent
guidelines for obesity use a measurment called BMI (body mass index) which is
the individual's weight multiplied by 703 and then divided by twice the height in
inches. BMI of 25.9–29 is considered overweight; BMI over 30 is considered
obese. Measurements and comparisons of waist and hip circumference can also
provide some information regarding risk factors associated with weight. The
higher the ratio, the greater the chance for weight-associated complications.
Calipers can be used to measure skin-fold thickness to determine whether tissue is
muscle (lean) or adipose tissue (fat).
Much concern has been generated about the increasing incidence of obesity among
Americans. Some studies have noted an increase from 12% to 18% occurring
between 1991 and 1998. Other studies have actually estimated that a full 50% of
all Americans are overweight. The World Health Organization terms obesity a
worldwide epidemic, and the diseases which can occur due to obesity are
becoming increasingly prevalent.
Excessive weight can result in many serious, potentially life-threatening health
problems, including hypertension, Type II diabetes mellitus (non-insulin
dependent diabetes), increased risk for coronary disease, increased unexplained
heart attack, hyperlipidemia, infertility, and a higher prevalence of colon, prostate,
endometrial, and, possibly, breast cancer. Approximately 300, 000 deaths a year
are attributed to obesity, prompting leaders in public health, such as former
Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., to label obesity "the second leading
cause of preventable deaths in the United States."
— Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt