There was a time when some people I know were crazy about the reality show, The Biggest Losers.
Strangely they were not obese. It escaped my comprehension why they
were so fascinated with it when there is nothing fascinating with people
who have problems in keeping their weights to what is considered
normal.
Then I realized that their interest was not borne out of fascination but of fun at seeing people whose vital statistics are so way out of the ordinary to be unbelievable.
Yes, their obesity is utterly unbelievable but I don't share their fun.
On the contrary, I feel a certain sympathy for people considered obese.
But what is to be obese?
Simply put, a person is obese if he/she is grossly overweight. Medically speaking, a person is obese if his/her weight is 20% higher than his normal BMI (Body Mass Index).
To give you a clear idea, the following are weight indicators based on BMI readings:
- 18.5 - underweight;
- 18.5 to 24.9 - normal;
- 25 to 29.9 - overweight;
- 30 or higher - obese;
- 40 or higher - morbidly obese.
People who are obese and morbidly obese must see a physician rather than be ogled at in reality shows.
What causes obesity?
To ordinary people obesity is simply caused by uncontrolled compulsion to eat. However there are causes that are simply beyond the comprehension to most of us. These are:
- Genetics;
Studies show that people with overweight or underweight mothers will have a 75% chance to exhibit the same physical characteristics.
But that is a poor excuse, however, to be sucked into the genetic black hole. At the end of the day, it is still you who determines whether you want to be a big fat slob or sport a 6-pack abs.
You know your predisposition, but you are free to make your own choice.
- Lifestyles:
Thanks to the advancement of technology, people today are practically living a "push button" lifestyle.
At the push of a button, we change TV channels, pour coffee, open car doors and garages, heat food directly from the wrapper or refrigerator, etc. Technology has practically removed the element of effort, of exertion in a lot of things we do.
This life of ease and comfort has led most of us to be apathetic, making us fall prey to one of the most common causes of obesity...
- Laziness:
It is thought that much of obesity in the last 20 years is due to a decreased level in people's physical activity.
Why walk when we take the car or a taxi? Why push a lawn mower when we have powered ones? Why go through the hassle of cooking dinner when we can easily take one out from our favorite Chinese restaurant?
Why manually change channels when the remote control and a bowl of junk food are within reach? A lot of people even have electric tooth brushes these days!
We just don't do much physical activity to burn of those calories and fat we consume daily.
- Aging:
Our metabolism slows down as we grow older. This explains why a lot of middle-aged men and women carry extra weights around the middle.
Again, this is a poor excuse for elderly people to become obese. In fact, they should not because obesity carries with it some very unpleasant health problems old people simply cannot afford to have.
- Psychological problems:
Negative emotions like boredom, sadness or anger can give people the urge to eat more than they should. Stress and depression can drive some people to eat excessively.
"I will eat my problems away," is a common saying among people who are seeking a refuge from emotional problems they find difficult to deal with.
- Illnesses and medication:
Hormone problems like hypothyroidism, depression and some rare brain disorders can lead to overeating. And certain drugs, like steroids and some anti-depressants can cause people to gain excessive weight.
So what wrong with being obese?
Aside from obvious difficulties people with normal weights are not subjected to, obesity can cause a lot of very serious medical problems. To underscore this point, life insurance companies charge extra premiums for overweight people because, statistically, they die earlier than people of normal weight.
Obesity is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and is considered one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century (Wikipedia).
And this is the funny part - it is preventable simply by dieting and exercise.
Then I realized that their interest was not borne out of fascination but of fun at seeing people whose vital statistics are so way out of the ordinary to be unbelievable.
Yes, their obesity is utterly unbelievable but I don't share their fun.
On the contrary, I feel a certain sympathy for people considered obese.
But what is to be obese?
Simply put, a person is obese if he/she is grossly overweight. Medically speaking, a person is obese if his/her weight is 20% higher than his normal BMI (Body Mass Index).
To give you a clear idea, the following are weight indicators based on BMI readings:
- 18.5 - underweight;- 18.5 to 24.9 - normal;
- 25 to 29.9 - overweight;
- 30 or higher - obese;
- 40 or higher - morbidly obese.
People who are obese and morbidly obese must see a physician rather than be ogled at in reality shows.
What causes obesity?
To ordinary people obesity is simply caused by uncontrolled compulsion to eat. However there are causes that are simply beyond the comprehension to most of us. These are:
- Genetics;
Studies show that people with overweight or underweight mothers will have a 75% chance to exhibit the same physical characteristics.
But that is a poor excuse, however, to be sucked into the genetic black hole. At the end of the day, it is still you who determines whether you want to be a big fat slob or sport a 6-pack abs.
You know your predisposition, but you are free to make your own choice.
- Lifestyles:
Thanks to the advancement of technology, people today are practically living a "push button" lifestyle.
At the push of a button, we change TV channels, pour coffee, open car doors and garages, heat food directly from the wrapper or refrigerator, etc. Technology has practically removed the element of effort, of exertion in a lot of things we do.
This life of ease and comfort has led most of us to be apathetic, making us fall prey to one of the most common causes of obesity...
- Laziness:
It is thought that much of obesity in the last 20 years is due to a decreased level in people's physical activity.
Why walk when we take the car or a taxi? Why push a lawn mower when we have powered ones? Why go through the hassle of cooking dinner when we can easily take one out from our favorite Chinese restaurant?
Why manually change channels when the remote control and a bowl of junk food are within reach? A lot of people even have electric tooth brushes these days!
We just don't do much physical activity to burn of those calories and fat we consume daily.
- Aging:
Our metabolism slows down as we grow older. This explains why a lot of middle-aged men and women carry extra weights around the middle.
Again, this is a poor excuse for elderly people to become obese. In fact, they should not because obesity carries with it some very unpleasant health problems old people simply cannot afford to have.
- Psychological problems:
Negative emotions like boredom, sadness or anger can give people the urge to eat more than they should. Stress and depression can drive some people to eat excessively.
"I will eat my problems away," is a common saying among people who are seeking a refuge from emotional problems they find difficult to deal with.
- Illnesses and medication:
Hormone problems like hypothyroidism, depression and some rare brain disorders can lead to overeating. And certain drugs, like steroids and some anti-depressants can cause people to gain excessive weight.
So what wrong with being obese?
Aside from obvious difficulties people with normal weights are not subjected to, obesity can cause a lot of very serious medical problems. To underscore this point, life insurance companies charge extra premiums for overweight people because, statistically, they die earlier than people of normal weight.
Obesity is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and is considered one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century (Wikipedia).
And this is the funny part - it is preventable simply by dieting and exercise.
I am a retired engineer and I keep my lights burning by writing.
I write about life, happiness, health, relationship and sex taken from my experiences in life.
Come and visit me at http://www.joespulpbits.com. Leave a comment and I will get back o your fast as I can. Your concern is my concern.
I am also a freelance, writer, a ghost blogger and can do news releases should you ever need one.
I am also a successful GDI (Global Domains International), affiliate.
Joseph Dabon
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Dabon
I write about life, happiness, health, relationship and sex taken from my experiences in life.
Come and visit me at http://www.joespulpbits.com. Leave a comment and I will get back o your fast as I can. Your concern is my concern.
I am also a freelance, writer, a ghost blogger and can do news releases should you ever need one.
I am also a successful GDI (Global Domains International), affiliate.
Joseph Dabon
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