Overweight And Obesity Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Overweight And Obesity?
Overweight and obesity are major public health concerns in many countries. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight or obese, globally, in 2014. Being overweight or obese can lead to a range of health complications, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. An individual is considered overweight if their body mass index (BMI) is over 25 kg/m2 and obese when BMI is over 30 kg/m2.The exact cause of obesity is unknown but it typically results from an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended through physical activity. Poor dietary habits, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, hormonal influences and genetic factors all contribute to the development of the condition too. One theory suggests that when the number of calories taken into the body exceeds those which are burned off via exercise or other forms of activity then this excess energy is stored as fat leading to weight gain over time. Another contributing factor may be psychological; individuals may use food for comfort or reward themselves with unhealthy meals due to stress or boredom for example. Preventing obesity involves making positive lifestyle changes such as: eating a healthy balanced diet which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, limiting intake of saturated fats and sugars; increasing physical activity levels; managing stress levels; avoiding smoking; reducing alcohol consumption as well as getting enough sleep each night. Regular monitoring by a doctor is also important in order to identify any potential risk factors early on so that preventative measures can be taken before any serious health conditions develop due to being overweight or obese.