|
|
Overview
Obesity - extreme overweight posing medical risks - is among
the most common health problems in the UK, as in many other countries.
And it is on the increase. About a third of the UK population is overweight,
which includes rising numbers of obese people. In less than two decades,
obesity in British women jumped from 8% to 16% and from 6% to 13% in
men. The World Health Organisation considers obesity a global epidemic
and a public health problem.
Experts estimate obesity is eating up 3% to 8% of total health costs
in certain European countries, costing a much as health programmes for
cancer and AIDS.
The condition involves the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat,
converted from unused calories, i.e. the body takes in more energy than
it can expend. Overeating and lack of exercise are the two most common
causes of obesity as Western lifestyles become increasingly sedentary.
What are the Dangers of Obesity?
Obese people are more prone to many illnesses, including high blood
pressure, diabetes, kidney disorders, skin disorders, coronary artery
disease and cancer.
What weight do you have to reach to be labelled obese?
Obesity is the point where being overweight restricts movement, places
excessive strain on the heart and joints, or causes embarrassment
or social difficulties.
If you are male and 1m 80 (5' 11") weighing over 100 kilos (15st
10lbs) or a woman of 1m 60 (5' 3") and weighing over 77 kilos (12st
2lbs), you are obese.
Another common method for assessing body weight for adults aged between
20 and 65 is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is your weight in kilos
divided by your height in metres squared.
This gives the following BMI classifications:
- Under 20 underweight
- 20-24.9 normal
- 25-29.9 overweight/plump
- 30-40 moderately obese
- 40 + severely obese
 |
|
