Obesity

Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be negatively affected.[1] It is commonly defined as a body mass index (BMI = weight divided by height squared) of 30 kg/m2 or higher.[1] This distinguishes it from being overweight as defined by a BMI of between 25–29.9 kg/m2.[1]

Excessive body weight is associated with various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.[2][3] As a result, obesity has been found to reduce life expectancy.[3] The primary treatment for obesity is dieting and physical exercise. If this fails, anti-obesity drugs and (in severe cases) bariatric surgery can be tried.[2][4]

Obesity arises from too much energy intake compared with a person's basal metabolic rate and level of physical exercise. Excessive caloric intake and a lack of physical activity in genetically susceptible individuals is thought to explain most cases of obesity, with purely genetic, medical, or psychiatric illness contributing to only a limited number of cases. With rates of adult and childhood obesity increasing, authorities view it as a serious public health problem.[4]

Although obesity is often stigmatized in the modern Western world, it has been perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history.