obesity

            
            
             I have decided to do my report on what I feel is the most horrible disease, obesity. I came across this talk show, which featured over weight people who are at great risk of dying due to their complications from obesity. Writing about obesity, has given me an opportunity, to learn more about this killer disease of 21st century.
             The clinical definition of obesity is excessive body fat, defined as weight at least 20% more than optimum. It is usually caused by sedentary habits and a diet high in fat, alcohol, or total calories. Calories consumed but not used are stored as fat. Rare causes include glandular defects and excess steroid. This is usually expressed in terms of body mass index (BMI), which is derived by dividing one's weight by the square of one's height (Allison & Saunders, 2000). .
             Causes .
             Genetic Causes of Obesity.
             Obesity tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. Yet families also share diet and lifestyle habits that may also contribute to obesity. Separating these from purely genetic factors is not easy.
             Environmental Factors in Obesity.
             Environment also strongly influences obesity. This includes lifestyle behaviour such as what a person eats and his or her level of physical activity. .
             Psychological Factors in Obesity.
             Psychological factors also influence eating habits. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as boredom, sadness, or anger. Most overweight people have no more psychological problems than people of average weight. Even so, up to 10 percent of people who are mildly obese and try to lose weight on their own or through commercial weight loss programs have binge eating disorder. This disorder is even more common in people who are severely obese.
             Other Causes of Obesity.
             Some illnesses can lead to obesity or a tendency to gain weight. These include hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, depression, and certain neurological problems that can lead to overeating.