Myths of Obesity

Obesity means having too much body fat. Obesity can run in families, but just how much is due to genes is hard to determine. Obesity is mainly caused by taking in more calories than are used up in physical activity and daily life. Obesity puts you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and many other serious health problems. Obesity is also increasing rapidly throughout the world. Obesity also can lead to stroke, greater risk for certain cancers such as breast or colon cancer, and even death. Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration; it is a dire health dilemma directly harmful to one's health. Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. In the United States, roughly 300,000 deaths per year are directly related to obesity, and more than 80% of these deaths are in patients with a BMI over 30. In the United States, women are slightly more at risk for becoming obese than men. Genetic factors play some part in the development of obesity.

Obesity is a disease that needs to be taken seriously. Obesity is one of the few remaining socially sanctioned prejudices. There are four widely shared, inaccurate stereotypes about obesity which perpetuate the prejudice against fat people. Some Common myths and facts associated with Obesity. First is People only become obese and overweight because they do not engage in weight loss efforts including physical activity and have unhealthy eating habits and facts is Obesity is not always a behavioral issue. Although physical activity and eating habits are major contributors to obesity, there are other elements to consider in evaluating causes of obesity. Second myth is only prevalent in developed countries that foster indulgent lifestyles, with poor diets and lack of exercise and facts is economically advanced regions of developing countries, prevalence rates of obesity may be as high as rates in industrialized countries. Contrary to popular opinion, in developing countries, where malnutrition levels are high, there are also reported cases of obesity.

Third myths is Obesity affecting those who are moderately obese as well. But the Framingham study showed that "over" weight women had a lower mortality risk than "under" weight women. Fourth myths is weight gain in women over time is healthy and part of a natural aging process and fact is weight gain of more than 20 pounds is not a normal part of the maturation process and may actually increase a woman’s risk of obesity-related disease. Fifth myth is obese individuals should attempt to lose a large amount of weight as quickly as possible but fact is actually, weight loss – especially fast weight loss (more than three pounds per week) or loss of a large amount of weight – can increase the risk of developing gallstones. The highest mortality (death) rate for women was for those who were "under" weight. The lowest mortality rates were for women 10 per cent and 20 per cent over average weight. and last six myth is osteoarthritis only develops when an individual gains a large amount of weight over a short time period but fact is timing is not a major factor in the development of osteoarthritis.

Obesity means having too much body fat. Obesity can run in families, but just how much is due to genes is hard to determine.

Juliet Cohen writes articles on diseases and conditions and women health care.

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