Difference between revisions of "Obesity"
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
'''Obesity''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_condition medical condition] in which excess [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat 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]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index Body mass index] (BMI), a [[measurement]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_weight which compares weight] and height, defines people as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overweight overweight (pre-obese)] when their BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, and obese when it is greater than 30 kg/m2.[3] | '''Obesity''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_condition medical condition] in which excess [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat 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]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index Body mass index] (BMI), a [[measurement]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_weight which compares weight] and height, defines people as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overweight overweight (pre-obese)] when their BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, and obese when it is greater than 30 kg/m2.[3] | ||
| − | + | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''Obesity''', follow '''''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Obesity this link]'''''.</center> | |
Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiovascular_diseases heart disease], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 type 2 diabetes], [[breathing]] difficulties during [[sleep]], certain types of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer cancer], and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_energy dietary calories], lack of [[physical]] [[activity]], and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by [[genes]], endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness. [[Evidence]] to [[support]] the view that some obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is limited; on average obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased [[body]] [[mass]]. | Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiovascular_diseases heart disease], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 type 2 diabetes], [[breathing]] difficulties during [[sleep]], certain types of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer cancer], and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_energy dietary calories], lack of [[physical]] [[activity]], and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by [[genes]], endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness. [[Evidence]] to [[support]] the view that some obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is limited; on average obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased [[body]] [[mass]]. | ||
Revision as of 00:18, 16 February 2010
- Date: circa 1611
Definition
- a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body
Description
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. Body mass index (BMI), a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as overweight (pre-obese) when their BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, and obese when it is greater than 30 kg/m2.[3]
Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive dietary calories, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility, although a few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine disorders, medications or psychiatric illness. Evidence to support the view that some obese people eat little yet gain weight due to a slow metabolism is limited; on average obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their thin counterparts due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass.
The primary treatment for obesity is dieting and physical exercise. To supplement this, or in case of failure, anti-obesity drugs may be taken to reduce appetite or inhibit fat absorption. In severe cases, surgery is performed or an intragastric balloon is placed to reduce stomach volume and/or bowel length, leading to earlier satiation and reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food.[6][7]
Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Obesity is stigmatized in the modern Western world, though it has been perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history, and still is in many parts of Africa.[1]
