Obesity

Obesity (o-BEE-si-tee) is a significant excess of body fat. Children with obesity are at higher risk for obesity when they grow up. Adults with obesity are at higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems. In cultures that value being thin, people with obesity also may experience emotional distress as well.

Prevalence rates for obesity are on the rise in the United States and in other parts of the developed world where lifestyles make it easy for people to take in more calories than their bodies use. How do people take in too many calories? Try fast-food burgers and fries, supersize colas, chips, dips, and nachos. How do people use too few calories? Try car rides instead of walking or riding a bike, and television and video games instead of sports. The result? Chubby couch potatoes who are banking extra deposits of adipose (fatty) tissue.

Lifestyle is not the only cause of obesity. Researchers believe that genes and heredity also play a very important role in many cases. People with a history of obesity in one or both parents are at higher risk of becoming obese themselves. People who have inherited "obesity genes" may use calories at a slower rate than others, or they may not have the same appetite "shutoff" control system that helps lean people stop eating when they have taken in enough calories. Also, people who become obese as children may increase the total number of fat cells in their bodies, making it much more likely that they will be obese as adults.

What Happens to People with Obesity?

Children

Children who weigh more than 20 percent more than they should for their height and age may be considered overweight, and those who weigh more than 30 percent more may be considered obese. Diets that severely restrict calorie intake often are not a good idea for children because of their need for energy to support normal growth, but doctors may suggest that overweight children be offered fewer calorie-laden foods and find ways to become more physically active after school and on weekends. Certainly they are likelier than normal-weight children to have problems with their peers. They may have trouble keeping up with other kids in sports and other activities, they may tire and get out of breath more quickly, and they may be called cruel names.

Teens

Teenagers with obesity may have the same problems as obese children, but they also may start having aches and pains as the extra fat in their bodies stresses their joints and overloads their muscles and tendons. Obese teens, as well as some younger children, sometimes may begin to show some of the health problems commonly seen in obese adults such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Also, they may have less active dating and social lives, and they may be at risk for binge eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder also is known as compulsive overeating. Like other eating disorders, it often involves feelings of anxiety, stress, anger, being out of control during a binge, and being remorseful after a binge. It also may involve hiding food and secret eating, behaviors that interfere with social activities. Eventually, it may lead to obesity, still another cause of stress in a culture that seems to believe a person can never be too thin.

Adults

In addition to aches and pains and physical limitations, obese adults face a higher risk of a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. They may face discrimination when they apply for jobs or promotions, and studies have shown that they may be unfairly viewed by others as lazy or less intelligent. Adults with obesity often experience the inconvenience and frustration of needing large-size clothing, large-size movie seats and airplane seats, and large-size seat belts in a world designed by and for medium-size people.

Severe obesity

Severe obesity also is called "morbid" obesity because it is so frequently accompanied by serious health complications. People with severe obesity almost always experience problems with everyday living. They may have trouble walking or exercising, they may have difficulty breathing while they sleep (sleep apnea), and they may be treated with a prescription medication or gastric (stomach) surgery to help bring their weight down to a healthier level.

Is It Possible to Be Fit, Fat, and Happy?

Yes, it is, and there are many media role models showing how, including weightlifter Cheryl Haworth, model Emme, and actress Camryn Manheim. Working with peer support groups and therapists can help people learn ways to resist the stigma attached to being fat in a culture that values thinness. Working with psychotherapists can help people with binge eating disorder learn healthier ways to cope with anxiety and stress. Working with medical doctors can help people with severe obesity get treatment for related health problems, such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea, and it also can help them decide whether prescription medications or surgery are appropriate treatments. Eating a balanced diet can benefit everyone. And getting lots of physical activity can make anyone fitter and happier, no matter how fat or thin the person is.

Actress Camryn Manheim won an Emmy award in 1998 for her role in the television series The Practice. She has become a role model for people struggling with body-image issues in shattering the stereotype that a beautiful, successful woman must be thin.

AFP/Corbis