Obesity is a medical condition defined by excess body fat that may negatively impact health. A person is considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight to height, exceeds 30 kg/m2. Potential causes of increasing obesity rates include lack of sleep, environmental pollutants, decreased smoking, and genetic factors passed between generations. Consequences of obesity include increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues as well as psychological impacts like low self-esteem. Treatment focuses on lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, but may also include weight loss drugs or surgery for severe cases.

1. OBESITY
Tony Abreu; Dany Abreu; Ivo Amorim; 10ºR

2. What is it
• Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has
accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect
on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or
increased health problems.

3. When is a person considered to be obese?
• People are considered obese
when their body mass
index (BMI), a measurement
obtained by dividing a person's
weight in kilograms by the square
of the person's height in metres,
exceeds 30 kg/m2.

4. Ten possible causes to the increase of obesity
1. insufficient sleep;
2. endocrine disruptors (environmental pollutants that
interfere with lipid metabolism);
3. decreased variability in ambient temperature;
4. decreased rates of smoking, because smoking suppresses
appetite;
5. increased use of medications that can cause weight gain;

5. 6. proportional increases in ethnic and age groups that
tend to be heavier;
7. pregnancy at a later age (which may cause
susceptibility to obesity in children);
8. epigenetic risk factors passed on generationally;
9. natural selection for higher BMI (body mass index);
10. assortative mating leading to increased
concentration of obesity risk factors;

7. Consequences of Obesity
The overall increase of obesity has physical and mental long-term
consequences for the population.
The consequences of obesity on health include psychological disorders such as
low self esteem, and physical and heart disease.
Other consequences of obesity in the body are:
• Increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes;
• Increased risk of developing heart disease by accumulation of fat within the
arteries;
• Hypertension;
• Stroke;
• Renal failure;

8. • Increased triglycerides;
• Increased cholesterol;
• Increased risk of developing or worsening of varicose veins;
• Premature wear of the joints of the spine, hips, knees and ankles due to
excess weight;
 These effects arise because the human body can not cope with the
accumulation of large amounts of fat and then all systems are
disadvantaged.

10. Treatment for Obesity
• Treatments for obesity should be based on a change in eating style, but
in some cases it is necessary to resort to drugs or surgery for weight loss.
The individual is considered obese when their body mass index is less
than 35.