Consuming more calories than the body burns is the cause of excessive weight gain.

The excess fat, as a result, is stored in specific cells until the body is able to burn it.

If the body hasn't had the opportunity to burn the excess fat through physical activity, it causes weight gain.


Some Facts

For some obesity may start as early as during development in the womb, this is when childhood obesity starts.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of a child being overweight.

The number of overweight people is increasing.

According to research a person with a body mass index( BMI) of over 30 has a reduced life expectancy , if the trend continues this could be reduced by another 5 years in this century.

As a person's BMI increases their life expectancy decreases. According to research this can be reversed be developing healthy habits and controlling weight gain.

The most accurate measurement for assessing body weight is the body mass index(BMI). It uses the person's weight and height to determine the total body mass to body fat.

A healthy body weight is a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
A BMI of 25-30 is overweight.
A BMI of over 30 is obese.

Two other measurements to assess weight  health are waist circumference and the waist-to-hip ratio.

A healthy waist circumference is less than 40 for men, less than 35 for women.

 

Some Reasons For Overweight/Obesity

There are many reasons why one can become overweight, most of them can be eliminated with a different lifestyle. Unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity are the main causes. Eating more calories than you burn will cause a storing of excess fat and will lead to the overweight. Other causes are:

-Children and adolescents who eat a lot of junk food and less meals at home are at increased risks.

-Sedentary lifestyle and desk jobs

-Using the computer for long hours

-Watching TV for long hours

-Lack of physical education programs

-Overeating and binging

-Eating the wrong food

-Too much sugar in the diet


Some of the health problems of being overweight are:

  • Heart attacks
  • Kidney failure
  • Hypertension
  • Depression
  • Respiratory problems
  • Joint pain
  • Difficulties with mobility
  • Premature death

Certain psychological disorders and thyroid dysfunction can make weight control difficult. When this happens it may be necessary to see a health care professional.

These are the approved treatment for obesity:

  • Diet
  • Physical activity
  • Behaviour modification/Counseling
  • Medication
  • Surgery
    •

    Diet and physical activity must be part of any treatment, this means any weight loss plan must include diet modification and exercise. Keeping a diet journal will improve chances of success, it will keep track of your progress.Watch this Video on the causes on Obesity.

Learning about weight control is made easy throught this self-developed plan.