About Obesity

Obesity is a health condition that occurs when an excessive amount of body fat is present. In general, men with more than 25% body fat and women with more than 30% body fat are considered obese.

The main cause of obesity is quite simple – a person consumes more calories from food and drinks than he or she burns through daily activities and exercise. Although calories produce energy that our bodies need to function properly, too many calories can lead to weight gain and/or obesity. However, several other factors – genetic, social and environmental – impact a person’s ability to maintain a healthy weight or may make them more prone to weight gain and obesity.

Obesity affects people on both a physical and emotional level. Physically, obesity can lead to serious medical problems, health conditions and an increased risk of developing several life-threatening diseases. Emotionally, people who suffer from obesity may suffer from depression or face discrimination based on their appearance.

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