Objectives:
  1. Learner will be able to define Obesity.
  2. Learner will be able to explain health complications of Obesity.
  3. Learner will be able to discuss the importance of diet and exercise.


WHAT IS OBESITY?


Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity is the fifth leading risk for death. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. (World Health Organization, 2011, para. 3).
Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for height that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. It is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (CDC, 2011, para. 2). 
BMI = kilograms / meters2
BMI
Classification
< 18.5
Underweight
18.5–24.9
Normal weight
25.0–29.9
Overweight
30.0–34.9
Class I obesity
35.0–39.9
Class II obesity
≥ 40.0
  Class III obesity 
(CDC, 2011, p.1)



HEALTH COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY
A raised BMI is increases the risk of diseases both physical and mental, including:
  • ·      Cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke)
  • ·      Type II Diabetes
  • ·      Osteoarthritis
  • ·      Cancer
  • ·      Sleep Apnea
  • ·      Depression

Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood. But in addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance (WHO, 2011, para.5).
 (CDC, 2010)
HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT
DIET
Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns. For many people this means eating too much and exercising too little. Obesity and its related diseases are preventable. Making the choice to lose weight and maintain a health life style is not easy and requires a change in many areas of an individual’s life. Support from family and friends is important. Work with your health care provider and dietitian to set realistic, safe daily calorie counts that help you lose weight while staying healthy (WHO, 2011, para. 7).
EXERCISE
If you have not been active, start slowly and build up over weeks or even months. Walking can be a good exercise to start with. Every week, increase the amount of time you spend doing the activity. Do it more often or add a second activity.
(University of Kentucky, 2011)
Additional Resources


How to manage your weight

REFERENCE
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ( 2010). Vital Signs. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/pdf/2010-08-vitalsigns.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Overweight and obesity. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/causes/index.html

Epidemicobesity. (2011). Epidemic obesity and childhood. Retrieved from http://www.epidemicobesity.com/

University of Kentucky. (2011). Health and wellness. Retrieved from http://www.uky.edu/HR/wellness/Walking.html

World Health Organization. (2011). Obesity and overweight. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/index.html
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