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Obesity is when someone has an excess amount of body weight compared to set
standards. To be overweight is to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) between 25 and
29.9 and to be considered obese is to have a BMI of 30 or more. Obesity,
specifically, means to have a high proportion of body fat, meaning that you have
20% over your desired weight. Our world today has made us eat more and move
less. One can be overweight without being obese. Factors that contribute
to people becoming overweight are
sedentary urban lifestyles, rich food, lack of exercise, and a gradual decrease
of the body’s metabolism. Also, men and women who watch more television than
more active people are more likely to become obese. People who eat excessive
amounts of sugar also have a higher risk factor of becoming obese. Women who
feel that their husbands don’t care how they look and that they feel unwanted
become stressed, which can cause women to become obese. On the other hand, men
become obese either from losing their jobs, feeling unwanted, etc. Also, obese
men are more likely to obtain diabetes than obese women.
It has also been researched that living in certain neighborhoods affect
child obesity. In a study of 7,000 children, ages 3 to 18, that of those kids,
the ones who lived closer to grocery stores and parks were less likely to be or
become obese. Also, children who live in densely green populations are less
likely to become obese.
Some treatments for obesity are diet changes, low calorie intake, many
different types of medications, and exercise. To prevent obesity, you combine
physical activity and proper nutrition and it will help you control your weight.
The healthiest way to lose weight is to only lose about a pound to a pound and a
half a week by exercising and eating healthy. Some good exercises you can do to
lose weight would be brisk walking, cycling, or aerobics. Also, stretches are
good for redistributing fat and it helps to reduce fat around the waist.
Being obese brings along many complications. You are more likely to get heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, many different types of cancers, high blood pressure,
high cholesterol levels, gout, and gallbladder disease. If you are overweight in
general, you have a higher risk at having sleep apnea and osteoarthritis.
Obesity not only has its physical effects, it has its psychological and
emotional effects as well. People have a feeling of rejection, shame, or
depression because of their feeling to fit into society and to be skinny,
especially for women. Men tend to gain weight more in the upper half of their
bodies and women gain more weight in the lower half of their bodies.
Becoming overweight or obese can begin to make you feel depressed and
different from the rest of society. But, you must remember, you are the only one
that can control yourself from gaining weight. All you need is a healthy diet
and physical activity a few times a week and you will see the pounds fall off as
long as you stick to it and are dedicated.
Arjun, Gita. "Obesity, the New Threat." The Hindu. 1 Mar. 2007. 1 Mar. 2007
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"Neighborhoods Influence Obesity Risk for Kids." South Bend Tribune. 28 Feb.
2007. 1 Mar. 2007
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"Overweight." Cure Research. 24 Mar. 2005. Adviware Pty Ltd. 1 Mar. 2007
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