Obesity

Obesity is an unhealthy excess of body fat in relation to lean body mass

• It is the health issue of the 21^st century. In Australia, around 60% of adults are overweight or obese, with 5% being morbidly obese. With 30% of children being obese, this means even greater problems in the coming years.
• Obesity is not a simple problem and it has many causes, including:
  • Obesogenic genes inherited from parents
  • Bad eating habits
  • Lack of exercise
  • Slow metabolism
  • Psychological factors
• Obesity can make day-to-day life difficult:
  • Stigmas and stereotyping of obese people by employers, colleagues, potential partners affecting your opportunities in life
  • Buying clothes
  • Enjoying a healthy sex life and falling pregnant
  • Being able to play with and keep up with your children
  • Public transport, aeroplane seats, getting in and out of cars
  • Personal hygiene
  • Back pain
  • Stairs
• Risks of obesity include:
  • Type II diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Asthma
  • Sleep apnoea, snoring
  • Fatty liver, liver cirrhosis
  • Arthritis, especially in weight bearing joints
  • Gallstones
  • Heart disease
  • Infertility
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Stroke
  • Psychosocial problems, including depression
  • Social isolation
  • Varicose veins, venous ulcers
  • Reflux disease (heartburn)
  • High cholesterol, high lipids
  • Skin conditions
  • Increases the probability of sudden and premature death
• It is measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a ratio between weight(kg)/height (cm) ²
   

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