| Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and | | | | when a person consumes more calories from |
| health conditions. What are the health risks | | | | food than he or she burns. When a person eats |
| associated with obesity? Obesity is associated | | | | more calories than he or she burns, the energy |
| with many serious preventable diseases including | | | | balance is tipped toward weight gain and obesity. |
| heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, | | | | Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the |
| stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and | | | | United States. Obesity is not just a cosmetic |
| respiratory disorders. While there is no single | | | | consideration; it is a dire health dilemma directly |
| underlying cause of obesity, the bottom line is | | | | harmful to one's health. Obesity tends to run in |
| that excessive weight reflects an imbalance | | | | families, suggesting a genetic cause. |
| between energy input and energy output. | | | | Nearly two-thirds of the United States population |
| This rate of obesity raises concern because of its | | | | is overweight. There are many ways to |
| implications for the health of Americans. Obesity | | | | determine if a person is overweight, but experts |
| occurs over time when you eat more calories | | | | believe that a person's body mass index BMI is |
| than you use. What are other factors associated | | | | the most accurate measurement of body fat for |
| with obesity? The large number of people with | | | | children and adults. |
| obesity and the serious health risks that come | | | | However, families also share diet and lifestyle |
| with it make understanding its causes and | | | | habits that may contribute to obesity. Separating |
| treatment crucial. | | | | genetic from other influences on obesity is often |
| Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and | | | | difficult. Even so, science does show a link |
| health conditions. What is the role of physical | | | | between obesity and heredity. |
| activity and exercise in obesity? Obesity occurs | | | | |