MamasHealth.com Home Eating Disorder Pages Activity Anorexia Anorexia Athletes and Eating Disorders Binge Eating Bulimia Childhood Obesity Cultural Influences on Eating Disorders Eating Disorders & Men Eating Disorder Help Nighttime Eating Over Eating Overweight Dangers Pica Recovery Rumination Support Groups Survive Bulimia Anorexia Story Anorexia Recovery Inner Substance My Anorexia Story My Bulimia Story My Recovery Recovery Links Email Mama Gaining: The truth about life after eating disorders Sex on Prom Night Free grants for college Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	Obesity and Overweight Weight is largely determined by the balance between how many calories you consume and the amount of energy you burn in everyday activities. Being overweight can become a matter of live and death. People who are overweight and obese are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems. Also, the overall risk of death increases with obesity. What is Obesity? Obesity is defined as a condition of being significantly overweight. If a person's weight is 20% or more above their ideal body weight, they are considered obese. Unusually, a person is overweight before they become obese. What is Overweight? Overweight is defined as a condition of weighing more that what is ideal for their height and body frame. If a person's weight is 20% or more above their ideal body weight, they are considered obese. Excess weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. A person can be overweight without being obese. How to Lose Weight? If you are obese or overweight your health is at risk. It is important that you lose weight and develop a healthy lifestyle. There are many weight loss program and it is important to find a program that is fits your needs. Please consult your doctor so he can develop a program that fits your needs. Dangers of being Overweight? Some of the dangers of being overweight include developing: High Blood Pressure: When you have excess body fat, your body retains sodium. When your body retains sodium, blood volume increases and blood pressure rises. High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder, which is dangerous for the heart. Diabetes: Obesity is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes. Excess fat makes your body resistant to insulin. When your body is resistant to insulin, your cells can't get the energy they need. Stroke Abnormal blood fats: A diet high in saturated fats increases the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Osteoarthritis: Excess weight adds pressure to joints and wears away at the cartilage that protects them. Sleep apnea: The more overweight a person is, the greater more severe the sleep apnea will be. Cancer: Men and women who are overweight have a higher risk of developing many different kinds of cancer. Gallstones: Gallstones are more common in people who are overweight. The connection between gallstones and weight is unclear. Weak Pelvic Muscles Physical Discomfort: As fat accumulates, it crowds the space occupied by your organs. People who are overweight may have difficulty breathing, walking or sitting. Risk factors for becoming overweight? Some of the common risk factors are: Genetics: Genes play a role in how your body balances calories and energy. Diet: The type of food you eat is a big factor in whether or not you will be overweight. Regular consumption of high-fat foods will contribute to your weight. Activity/Inactivity: People who are inactive (don't exercise, or participate in sports) are more likely to gain weight because they burn fewer calories. Sex: Men naturally have more muscle and less fat that women do. Muscle burns more energy that fat. Age: As you get older, you gradually loose muscle. The muscle is often replaced by fat. Pregnancy: A woman's weight tends to increase by about 5 pounds after the end of each pregnancy. Medication: A side effect of some medications is weight gain. Smoking or Not Smoking: Some smokers gain weight after they quit smoking. Medical Problems: A small percentage of weight problems are caused by other health problems, such as a thyroid malfunction or hormonal imbalances.
	Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use. Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170 If you want a review of your product featured on MamasHealth.com, let us know. ©2000 - 2008 MamasHealth.com™. All rights reserved