A condition in which there is “an excess of body fat frequently resulting in a significant impairment of health”; a level of 20 percent or more above ideal body weight.
Excessive accumulation of body fat. A body mass index above 30 is considered to be obese (and above 40 grossly obese).
A medical term that refers to the storage of excess fat in the body. A person is usually considered obese when his or her weight is 20 percent greater than the appropriate weight as determined by conventional height-weight tables.
A condition characterized by being 20% or more above one’s ideal body weight.
More than 25 percent of body weight comprised of adipose tissue for men and more than 30 percent for women; or a BMT of 30 or greater.
Excess body fat (more than 20% of the body weight as fat), accompanied by biomarkers of inflammation. Obesity may be the result of an interaction between genetics and lifestyle choices. There are social and cultural influences that can ensure or potentiate genetic tendencies to develop obesity. Anthropologists and medical historians have identified examples of cultural groups that consider excess body fat to be a mark of beauty as well as an indication of economic status within their society.
Obesity is defined as excess body weight or fatness by a variety of methods usually based on either body weight for a given height or percentage of body fatness as an indicator of overall body composition. Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. and is an independent risk factor for a number of chronic diseases and conditions. Comprehensive reviews of factors that promote obesity and the mechanisms by which the increased risk for chronic diseases linked to obesity are beyond the scope of this book.
A person is considered obese when adipose (fat) tissue makes up a greater than normal percentage of his or her body weight—that is, when body weight is in excess of biological needs. This excess in body fat often results in a significant impairment of health. Obesity occurs as a result of a complex interaction between one’s genes and the environment.
Condition of being 20 percent or more over the maximum weight considered ideal for a person’s height and age. The American diet—plentiful food, rich in fats—plus a more sedentary, TV-dominated life has led to an epidemic of obesity. By the late 1980s, some studies estimate, nearly one out of four children were so overweight as to be considered obese.
A state of weighing 30 percent more than the standard weight for one’s height.
Condition of being overweight; increase in the amount of fat in the subcutaneous tissues of the body. The most common cause is overeating, often dating to early childhood. Various disease conditions can also contribute to obesity (especially such as thyroid, pituitary, and other endocrine gland problems). Treatment involves diet and sometimes counseling. Rarely, drug therapy or surgical treatment is recommended.
A body weight 20 percent or more above an individual’s ideal weight or a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Obesity is a serious medical problem linked with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. Weight- related cancers include colon and prostate cancer in men and breast, uterine, and endometrial cancer in women. Obesity is also linked to back pain, sleep apnea (a potentially life- threatening condition in which a person stops breathing for short periods during sleep), gallstones, osteoarthritis, heartburn, gout, and varicose veins.
The condition in which excess fat has accumulated in the body, mostly in the subcutaneous tissues. Obesity is usually considered to be present when a person is 20% above the recommended weight for his/her height and build. The accumulation of fat is caused by the consumption of more food than is required for producing enough energy for daily activities. Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder of recent years.
A condition in which the energy stores of the body (mainly fat) are too great. It is commonplace in prosperous countries and is increasing in developing countries, particularly amongst children and young people. Many believe that it represents the most serious public health threat of our age.
An unhealthy accumulation of body fat. In adults, damaging effects of excess weight are seen when the body mass index exceeds 25 kg/m². Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of >30 kg/m.² A person who stands 5 ‘7″ tall, e.g., would be obese by this standard if he or she weighed more than 191 lb.
Obesity is an excessive accumulation of body fat. A woman with over 30 percent body fat or a man with over 25 percent body fat is considered obese. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over is generally classified as obesity.
The state of having excess body fat for one’s weight; the state of weighing more than 20 percent above one’s recommended body weight.
The condition that occurs when a person’s weight is 20 percent or more above an appropriate weight.
Accumulation of excess fat. Usually defined as 20 percent above the ideal weight or above 30 percent fat for women and above 25 percent fat for men.
Body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirement, so much that the body cannot function normally.
A state caused by an energy surplus, where the energy acquired through consumption of food is greater than the energy utilized during physical activities.
The condition known as a body mass index (BMI) ranging between 30 to 39.9 signifies an anomalous abundance of adipose tissue within the human anatomy.
Obesity refers to the condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat, often defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a body weight that exceeds 30% of the normal range indicated by standard height-weight tables.
Obesity is a rising condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the body. An individual with a body mass index (BMI), derived from height and weight, above 30 is considered obese. Meanwhile, a BMI between 25 and 30 indicates being overweight but not obese.
Obesity often results from consistently consuming more food than the body requires for energy. The energy needs are influenced by one’s metabolic rate and their level of physical activity. While genetics can have a notable role in obesity, environmental factors, including dietary and exercise habits, are crucial. For a small percentage of people, underlying conditions like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, damage to the hypothalamus (which regulates appetite), or certain medications like corticosteroids can lead to obesity.
Obesity significantly heightens the chances of severe health conditions. Those who are obese are at a greater risk of developing hypertension, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Men under 40 who are obese are more prone to coronary artery disease. The risk for certain cancers, like those of the colon, rectum, breast, and uterus, is also amplified with obesity. Additionally, carrying excess weight can exacerbate osteoarthritis by placing additional stress on the joints.
The primary approach to addressing obesity is a combination of a weight-loss diet and consistent exercise. While fad diets can lead to rapid weight loss in a short span, most individuals regain the weight once they return to their regular eating patterns.
Appetite-suppressing medications are infrequently prescribed due to their potential side effects. Orlistat, which hinders the absorption of fat in the intestines, is only effective when actively taken. Possible side effects encompass diarrhea and deficiencies in vitamins.
For individuals with severe obesity who haven’t succeeded with conventional weight loss methods, more drastic measures might be considered. This can include wiring the jaws to limit food consumption or performing surgery to staple a portion of the stomach, reducing its size. Occasionally, intestinal bypass surgeries are done to shorten the digestive tract, resulting in less food absorption. Due to potential complications, these interventions are reserved for cases where obesity poses a severe threat to a person’s health.
An excessive accumulation of fat in the body, commonly referred to as being overweight.