Millions of children and adults in the U.S.A. have to deal with the physical and psychological effects of obesity every day. Everyone knows obesity when they see it. Look around at the general public and masses in the U.S.A. , and they will see it everywhere. It is rare to spot a slim body.  Although everyone knows obesity is bad and its ill effects, there are no signs of any improvements.

A serious health problem

Obesity has become a grave health issue in the United States, and American Medical Association considers it a chronic disease. Almost 35% of Americans have obesity, and it is not just a weight problem. The issue can have serious effects on the physical, metabolic and psychological health of an individual.

Overweight and Obesity

It is essential to know the dissimilarity between being obese and being overweight. Both get defined by the body mass index or BMI. BMI gets calculated by dividing the weight of an individual by the square of his height. A BMI of 25 to 30 means overweight while BMI of more than 30 shows that the person has obesity. Those with BMI score 40 are said to have morbid obesity. BMI differentiates between lean mass from fat mass, and may not be the perfect measurement.

What triggers obesity?

There are several reasons behind the obesity epidemic. The major reasons are the changes in diet and lifestyle. There is an increased availability of a variety of palatable and high-calorie foods. The jobs are becoming less demanding physically, and people tend to spend more time on their computers, smartphones and in front of their television. Overweight and obese mothers increase the risk of obesity in their unborn child. Other possible triggers are changes in the bacteria in the digestive track, changes in sleep patterns and stress.

At present, one in three adults is obese in the U.S. A. This adds to the possible health toll including ailments such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and stroke. The number of obese adults has more than doubled and the average adult weighs more than they did in the 1950’s. According to the American Heart Association, the weight-related medical bills can cost $190 billion a year. This makes obesity an urgent health concern.

The solution to obesity

Education on obesity, sprain awareness, and successful weight-loss programs can work as a solution to the problem. All one needs to do is keep away from junk foods and take in fewer calories a day. They need to make lifestyle changes with regular exercise and encourage calorie-burning to reduce their weight.

According to health experts, one can maintain a food diary and remove any tempting foods from the pantry and fridge. Improved sleep, hygiene and social support and keeping a positive attitude can help build the willpower to fight obesity, which is already a national problem. There is at least one obese person living in every family in the U.S.A. and this means the whole family needs to work on his or her obesity management. Diet and exercise play the most important role in losing weight.