Obesity is a worldwide problem and a serious illness. When a person continually consumes more calories from food than is needed by the body, the extra calories accumulate as unnecessary fat and this person is referred to as “obese”.
Obesity was once considered a problem in high-income countries, but is fast becoming a major concern in low-and middle-income countries as well, presenting a worldwide problem.
Obesity can be the result of many factors, the most obvious being overeating. Overeating coupled with lack of exercise is sure to produce this chronic disease. In many cases, depression leads the way as a cause for overeating.
Also, a diet high in fat can result in obesity. Many people, particularly Americans, seem to favour taste to nutrition.
Often times, foods that are highly seasoned and saturated in fat are filled with empty calories and non-nutritional substances. Obesity is the result of this unhealthy diet. In some families, obesity is the norm. Because of this, genetic makeup is often referred to as a cause of obesity. Of course, family members are often exposed to the same unhealthy lifestyle and this would result in more than one member having a problem with the disease.
Some illnesses can also promote obesity and, ironically, obesity is the cause of many illnesses. Being obese increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.
Obesity not only affects public health, it affects the economy. Like other diseases, thousands of dollars are poured into the search for a cure and the costs of health care procedures are skyrocketing yearly. Perhaps, more important than a search for a cure, would be the development of a plan to increase awareness of a healthier lifestyle. Educating the public in this manner could possibly prevent obesity from becoming a national epidemic in the near future.
