Obesity

Obesity is a medical classification regarding an extreme level of excessive body weight. It is a more serious classification on the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale than the overweight classification is. From a medical perspective, an obese person has accumulated enough body fat that it can negatively impact health.

If an adult's weight is at least 20% higher than his ideal weight (which is based upon the person's height), he is generally considered obese. An adult with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI is 30 or over is considered obese.^[1]

Because ideal weights vary by age and gender, childhood obesity is normally determined using a modified BMI table. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) publishes a set of tables used to determine BMI percentages children and teens. In these tables, children whose weight is equal to or greater than the 95% bracket are considered obese.^[2]

In addition, the term obese can be used in a more general way to simply mean the "excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body".^[3]

Causes of obesity[edit]

See: Causes of obesity and Bariatric science

Two of the major risk factors for becoming obese according to the Mayo Clinic are poor dietary choices and inactivity.^[4] In the United States, most individuals are overweight due to their dietary and exercise habits.^[5]

Genetics[edit]

Although many people attempt to excuse away their overweight condition on their genetic makeup rather than exercise self-discipline when it comes to their diet and exercise habits, according to the Harvard University School of Public Health, most people can maintain a healthy weight through the establishment of healthy habits and maintaining an environment conducive to good health (emptying their refrigerator and cupboards of junk foods, etc.).^[6]

The Harvard University School of Public Health declares in their article Genes are not destiny:

Internet and computer usage[edit]

In 2009, an Australian university study was done concerning the association between leisure time internet and computer use with being overweight/obese and also sedentary.^[7] The study concluded: "These findings suggest that, apart from nutritional and physical activity interventions, it may also be necessary to decrease time spent in sedentary behaviors, such as leisure-time Internet and computer use, in order to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity."^[7]

Worldview[edit]

See also: Atheism and obesity and Sports performance: Religious faith vs. atheism

In the journal article Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications, psychologists McCullough and Willoughby theorize that many of the positive links of religiousness with health and social behavior may be caused by religion's beneficial influences on self-control/self-regulation.^[8][9] Furthermore, a 2012 Queen's University study published in Psychological Science found that religion replenishes self-control.^[10][11] Also, numerous studies indicate that those who engage in regular spiritual practices have lower mortality rates.^[12][13]

According to the Gallup Inc., "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."^[14]

For more information, please see: Atheism and obesity

Medical causes of obesity[edit]

Although obesity is usually the result of overeating and lack of exercise, in a small percentage of cases excess weight gain is a symptom of a disease such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome.^[15]

Causes: additional information[edit]

Obesity has many causal factors. It can also be caused by improper hormone production or other malfunctions of various brain structures, including in particular the hypothalamus (site of the reward pathways, [this action=release of serotonin=feeling of pleasure]) and thyroid gland. A 2003 Duke University study shows a possible relationship between the number of children a person has and an increased risk of obesity. A woman's risk of obesity is raised 7% with each child; a man's risk is raised by 4%.^[16]

Obesity is most dangerous among the children and the elderly, whose bones, livers, and lungs are too weak to deal with the excess weight and fat. Obesity can significantly shorten a person's lifespan.

Many in the medical establishment consider obesity to be an illness,^[17] in the sense that it is a serious medical condition, but disagree about the root causes of non-hormone related obesity. The medical world is nearly unanimously agreed that obesity is a big problem in the Western world, and in fact becoming a problem worldwide.^[18]

Liberals' answer to this problem has been to shift responsibility from those who are overeating (not including people with medical factors that cause the problems), to regulating how much fat can be in foods, what foods can be served at what restaurants, and trying to put financial penalties on restaurants that serve "fatty" foods.

Weight loss methods and medical science[edit]

Bariatric science is the branch of medical science that deals with the causes, prevention, treatment/control of obesity and its allied diseases.^[19]

For more information on weight loss methods, please see: Bariatric science

Weight loss methods and spiritual support[edit]

See: Overcoming obesity with the aid of Christian faith

Physical and mental health related problems associated with obesity[edit]

See also: Health risks linked to obesity

Some of the medical conditions associated with obesity include: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, arthritis, cancer, sleep apnea, reproductive problems in women and varicose veins. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and CAD are most closely associated with unhealthy diets, while arthritis comes from the stress extra weight places on the body. Stokes, cancer, and reproductive problems less closely correlate with obesity.^[20] In addition, medical science research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.^[21]

Medical science research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.^[21]

According to the Mayo Clinic some of the symptoms associated with obesity can include:

Concerning the issue of depression, atheists do have higher rates of suicide than the general population. For more information please see: Atheism and depression and Atheism and suicide.

Obesity in the United States[edit]

The incidence of obesity varies by region within the United States. In 2010, the five leanest states (that is, the states with the lowest rates of obesity) were Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Hawaii. The five states with the highest rates of obesity were Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia,and Louisiana .^[23] A recent study states that in 2010, the only state with less than a 20% obesity rate is Colorado. Twenty years ago, there were no states with an obesity rate higher than 15%.^[24]

World issues on hunger vs. obesity[edit]

It has been noted that world obesity has risen, yet there is still an endless problem with starvation and hunger and malnutrition in both America and the world at large. A growing problem is food being horded and poorly distributed by groups like the United Nations, as well as poor food choices made by the less fortunate who would rather spend limited dollars on treat-like foods than on (admittedly harder to cook and less tasty, but better for you) choices like beans, rice, and canned vegetables. Liberals tend to deny the roles of personal choice and problems like greed in the UN, rather blaming the "establishment" for the entire problem of both hunger and obesity.

Psychology, obesity, religiosity and atheism[edit]

See also: Atheism and obesity and Psychology, obesity, religiosity and atheism and atheism and suicide

According to the Gallup Organization, "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."^[14] For more information please see: Atheism and obesity.

Many people overeat in response to negative emotions such as depression, anxiety and boredom.^[25] Concerning atheism and mental and physical health, there is considerable amount of scientific evidence that suggest that theism is more conducive to mental and physical health than atheism. For example, atheists have higher rates of suicide than the general population. For more information, please see: Atheism and obesity.

Lesbianism and obesity[edit]

See also: Lesbianism and obesity and Homosexuality and obesity and gluttony

In April 2007, the American Journal of Public Health analyzed data from 2002 National Survey of Family Growth and the data suggested that American lesbian women were 2.69 times more likely to be overweight and 2.47 times more likely to be obese than all other female sexual orientation groups. ^[26]

Concerning lesbianism and obesity, in April 2007, the American Journal of Public Health analyzed data from 2002 National Survey of Family Growth and the data suggested that American lesbian women were 2.69 times more likely to be overweight and 2.47 times more likely to be obese than all other female sexual orientation groups. ^[26] The abstract for this study indicated that "lesbians are at greater risk for morbidity and mortality linked to overweight and obesity." ^[26]

In 2009, the PubMed article abstract for the Polish psychiatry journal Psychiatria Polska article Body Image in Homosexual Persons declared:

In 2007, a purported lesbian wrote to Andrew Sullivan, the political commentator and administrator of The Daily Dish blog:

Pet obesity[edit]

See also: Pet obesity

Overweight British cat.

Pet obesity is a growing problem in the Western World.

United Kingdom's pet obesity epidemic[edit]

In 2015, The Guardian reported concerning the United Kingdom: "Fat cats – and dogs and rabbits – are expected to outstrip healthy ones within five years, as pet obesity rates continue to rise across the country..."^[29]

According to Britain's Daily Mirror:

See also[edit]

• Overcoming obesity with the aid of Christian faith
• Health risks linked to obesity
• Atheism and obesity
• Homosexuality and obesity
• Lesbianism and Obesity
• Pet obesity

External links[edit]

Weight loss resources and tips[edit]

The 20% of overweight people who are able to achieve permanent weight loss typically report doing it through engaging in high levels of physical activity, eating a low-calorie diet, eating breakfast regularly, self-monitoring weight, and maintaining a consistent eating pattern across weekdays and weekends.^[31] Overweight individuals may need to decrease their computer and internet usage.^[7]

Below are some resources related to weight loss:

General weight loss tips:

• Causes of obesity - Mayo Clinic
• Genes Are Not Destiny - Harvard University School of Public health
• The 6 Weight-Loss Tips That Science Actually Knows Work - Forbes, April 9, 2013
• Strength Training For Weight Loss Success by Deborah L. Mullen, CSCS
• Long-term weight loss maintenance, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005 July; 82(1 Suppl):222S-225S.
• Weight loss strategies for success - Mayo Clinic

Weight loss resources and tips:

• Obesity and an F grade in fat - A need for faith in God
• Weight-loss goals: 10 tips for success by Mayo Clinic
• Zone Diet
• Mediterranean diet by Mayo Clinic
• Glycemic index diet: Losing weight with blood sugar control by Mayo Clinic

Strength training and cardio exercise:

• Weight loss: Cardio Exercise vs. Weight Training - Vanderbilt University, Health Psychology Home Page

Other resources on how much exercise is needed to lose weight and importance of one day of rest per week:

• Workout tips and giving your body one day of rest a week
• Exercise and recovery time
• Muscle recovery time and weight lifting
• Lose weight fast: How to do it safely by WebMD

Documentary on weight loss:

• Fat, sick and nearly dead

Supplements:

Irvingia gabonensis:

• IGOB131, a novel seed extract of the West African plant Irvingia gabonensis, significantly reduces body weight and improves metabolic parameters in overweight humans in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled investigation - Lipids Health Dis. 2009 Mar 2;8:7,Ngondi JL, Etoundi BC, Nyangono CB, Mbofung CM, Oben JE.
• The effect of Irvingia gabonensis seeds on body weight and blood lipids of obese subjects in Cameroon - Lipids Health Dis. 2005; 4: 12, Judith L Ngondi, Julius E Oben, Samuel R Minka
• IRVINGIA GABONENSIS - WebMD

Spiritual support:

• Overcoming obesity with the aid of Christian faith

Bariatric surgery:

• Bariatric surgery - Mayo Clinic
• Bariatric Surgery and Cardiovascular Risk Factors - A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

References[edit]