What is obesity??
Obesity is abnormal, or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to a persons health. In 2005, 1.6 billion adults over the age of 15 were overweight, and 400 million were obese. Experts say that by 2015, 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and 700 million will be obese. If you have a BMI of somewhere between 25 and 29.9 then you are considered overweight. If you have a BMI of 30 or more, then you are considered obese. Here is a link to check your BMI, but don't be alarmed if you are thick boned or extremely muscular, then please read below.
This picture shows the percentage of obese people below the age of 20.
This picture shows the percentage of obese people below the age of 20.
B.M.I = a bunch of crap!?
The B.M.I or body mass index is a calculation using your height and weight to calculate how much body fat you have. For example, I am 5'9" and weigh 135 pounds, so that puts me in the normal range. Let's just say you were Taylor Lautner in the movie twilight, he is 5'8" and 180 pounds, the B.M.I has him out to be in the overweight range! He doesn't look overweight to me! The BMI was designed for population dynamics, not for an idividuals health. The perception of beauty across the board is based on a skewed system, that is why when calculating your BMI, also do you Body Fat Percentage to counteract that. BMI is not an accurate indicator of body fat due to the differences in body composition, that is why the thresholds between "overweight" and "obese" are sometimes disputed.
Interview with a medical professional
Dr. Timothy Pitchford of the Eau Claire Marshfield Clinic is one of the bariatric surgeons who performs gastric bypass surgery to numerous people in the area. I had an interview with him about some obesity and his thoughs and perspectives on the epidemic.
What are some side effects to your body's health if you are obese?
~Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesteral, fatty liver disease (which by the way is the #1 cause of liver failure)
How would you classify an "obese" person?
~If they have a BMI (volume of their body) over 30
Is the B.M.I an appropriate tool to use when measuring obesity?
~Obviously it has its limitations, if you are a wrestler then your BMI will be limited
Do you feel like there is an obesity epidemic in America?
~yes unfortunatly
Are some people just born "bigger than others? Do genetics play a role?
~It is a combonation of both. It's always a struggle to lose weight after surgery if genetics play a role. Think of your body as a gun, we are loading it with food, but the environment is the trigger, the environment is shoving thousands of calories into our face daily. So the environment is really what makes us explode.
Do diets work on obese people?
~ If they are trying to lose 20 to 30 pounds then yes, but if it 100 pounds then no. Diets only work on 10% of people that are 100 pounds overweight.
What are some side effects to your body's health if you are obese?
~Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesteral, fatty liver disease (which by the way is the #1 cause of liver failure)
How would you classify an "obese" person?
~If they have a BMI (volume of their body) over 30
Is the B.M.I an appropriate tool to use when measuring obesity?
~Obviously it has its limitations, if you are a wrestler then your BMI will be limited
Do you feel like there is an obesity epidemic in America?
~yes unfortunatly
Are some people just born "bigger than others? Do genetics play a role?
~It is a combonation of both. It's always a struggle to lose weight after surgery if genetics play a role. Think of your body as a gun, we are loading it with food, but the environment is the trigger, the environment is shoving thousands of calories into our face daily. So the environment is really what makes us explode.
Do diets work on obese people?
~ If they are trying to lose 20 to 30 pounds then yes, but if it 100 pounds then no. Diets only work on 10% of people that are 100 pounds overweight.
health concerns for the actual obese
People that actually are obese have alot of concerning health factors they face. Some include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholestorol, sleep apnea and strokes. Plus you are twice as likely to die pre-maturally as is a normal weight person.