Obesity - Introduction

Obesity Menu

Definition:

An abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual's ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death.

Obesity is an excess of body fat that results in a significant impairment of health.This is a condition,when the size or number of fat cells in a person's body increases. A normal-sized person has 30 and 35 billion fat cells. When a person gains weight, these fat cells increase in size and number. One pound of body fat represents about 3500 calories.

The easiest and most widely accepted method of determining whether you are obese is by measuring your Body Mass Index, or BMI.

A normal BMI = 18.5-24.9; overweight = 25.0-29.9; obese = 30 or greater; and morbidly obese = 40 or greater.

HOME | CONTACT US