The Why’s & How’s Of Obesity

Obesity is one of the biggest reasons for increased  health risks faced by the average adult American. It is agreed up on by most nutritionists  that a certain minimum amount of fat is important to generate body energy, heat and shock absorption.

But this should not exceed more than twenty five percent of the body  fat in men and thirty percent of the body fat in women. Generally,women  have more body fat than men.

BMI or Body Mass Index is the term used by physicians to measure body fat. It is a mathematical equation that accounts for the body fat in terms of the person’s height and weight. The BMI is the figure arrived by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by the height (in meter square).

Generally a BMI count above 27 in persons above the age of 35 is considered as a case of obesity. However, this method has not found universal acceptance with disagreements among the medical fraternity on the cut-off ages and the inability of the formula to calculate body fat percentage.

Apple and pear are used to describe obese men and women in the private terminology of nutritionists. That is because men tend to accumulate fats around their stomach and women around their hips and buttocks. Waist to hip ratio is an important tool to measure the fat content in men or women.

Although there are genetic factors too,generally it is accepted that people become obese when the calorie intake is more than the amount of energy burnt. The exact cause is difficult to pinpoint.

But among the various factors, environmental, physical and psychological factors play a key role. Not taking out time to exercise and not sticking to weight loss regimen as prescribed by doctors can cause accumulation of body fats leading to obesity.

A sedentary lifestyle is a major reason why people tend to put on more weight. Giving more prominence to taste than to nutritional elements results in consumption of unhealthy high fat food.

The craze for junk foodstuff which are rich in unsaturated fats is the reason why many children and youngsters are falling prey to the dreaded condition called obesity.You must find ways to control to control your cravings for fast food.

In addition to controlling food habits we must also realize the benefits of walking. Diet plans and weight loss programs must be part of one’s daily regimen if obesity is to be brought under control.