Obesity is a major problem!

Technically speaking, obesity is a condition in which excess body fat accumulates to such an extent that health may be negatively affected. It is commonly defined as a body mass index (BMI = weight divided by height squared) of 30 kg/m2 or higher. This distinguishes it from being overweight as defined by a BMI of between 25-29.9 kg/m2.

Not so long ago, it was commonly believed that overweight and obese people were compulsive eaters, anxious, depressed, under stress, or trying to compensate for deficiencies in their lives. But today, when almost everyone seems to be getting heavier and obesity has become an international issue.

Some research suggests that depressed people are more likely to develop obesity. People may console themselves with “comfort food”, which is usually high in fat, sugar, and calories because they are anxious, lonely, angry, or suffering from low self-esteem. There is a characteristic type of depression with symptoms that include lethargy and overeating. Like most mind-body interactions, obesity can lead to ill health, which is linked to depression and anxiety.

Besides this the dietary habits contribute a lot towards obesity. I was in USA for a long time and obesity is increasing at an alarming pace there, especially amongst the younger generation. Majority of the youngsters thrive on cheeses and pizzas there. The ton of white flour and cheese ends up accumulating around the waist, leading to obesity. The second closest contender of food for them is fried food (French fries, fried chicken, fish, beef etc). These food items surely work wonders for the taste buds but certainly not for the body.

Another reason of obesity nowadays is the kind of jobs people are in. With more and more of desk work (where people have to keep sitting for long spans of time) and very less physical activity, people are becoming victims of obesity. The extreme competition in the corporate world has intensified this problem. Consultants, allured into the sexy world of money and fame, hardly have time to think about their health. Their schedules are jam packed with travel, meetings and deadlines to deliver their projects. The sleep deprived executives are left with little time to manage a healthy routine.

Technology cannot be excused either. With more and more advancements being made to make life more comfortable, we have overlooked the slow disaster it is leading us to. Everything can be done at the click of a button nowadays. This leaves very little space for physical activity for mankind.

The best methods of reducing excess weight are controlling diet and a moderate exercise program. Small drops in weight can create lower health risks for a person. Other methods of weight loss include drug therapy and surgery. But both of these come with risk of complications and mortality risks as well.