WHAT IS OBESITY?

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE PERFECT WEIGHT, INSTEAD THERE ARE IDEAL RANGES OF WEIGHT.
WHEN THE BODY GETS MORE CALORIES THAN IT BURNS, THE EXTRA CALORIES ARE STORED AS FAT.

WHAT IS OBESITY?

Overweight or obese is when one weighs more than what is healthy. The healthy weight is decided by the age, sex and height of a person.
From the time of birth, the right body weight is important for good health. There is nothing like per fect weight, instead there are ideal ranges of weight. This depends on the height and whether the person is male or female. The healthy weight range is what we should aim for. Being either underweight or overweight is a problem.
Everyone has some body fat. Overweight is when one has more body fat than necessary. Obese, is a term used for those that are extremely overweight.
Weighing too much at any age can lead to illnesses and health problems. Body mass index or BMI is one good way to decide if one is overweight. The height and weight of a person are used for this calculation. The higher the BMI the more fat one may have.

CAUSES of OBESITY

The main cause of obesity in children is overeating, not exercising enough or eating disorders. Being overweight may also run in the family. It may also be due to hormonal problems.
Food and drinks contain calories (energy). The body burns these calories during physical activity. When the body gets more calories than it burns, the extra calories are stored as fat. The more extra calories a person eats, the more fat is stored.
Nowadays more time is spent in front of televisions and computers. We drive everywhere instead of walking or riding bikes.
Video games are preferred to active sports like football or tennis. Fast foods and junk food are a lot more common. The biggest problem for most people is not getting enough activity and exercise.

HEALTH PROBLEMS due to OBESITY

It does not feel good when one has too much weight to carry. Being overweight can make it harder to breathe and sleep. The person may feel tired and have aches or pains. It may make one sad and angry.
Overweight children have a greater chance of getting joint related problems, gall bladder disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some types of cancer.

TO KEEP FROM BECOMING OVERWEIGHT [preventing OBESITY]

Be active: Watch lesser TV and play fewer video games. Try sports like swimming, tennis, martial arts. Jump rope, dance, and walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk instead of having parents drive you.
Eat healthy: Eat a variety of foods which include fruits and vegetables. Drink more of water and low-fat milk. Say no to the burgers, pizzas, cokes and other sugary drinks.