Diet - Obesity Treatment Information and Prevention

Obesity is an excess proportion of total body fat. It is increased to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more above normal weight. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat and/or body water. The human body can handle carrying some extra fat, but beyond a certain point, body fat can begin to interfere with your health. For this reason, obesity is more than a cosmetic concern. Obesity puts you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes.

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and in other developed countries. More than half of Americans are overweight—including at least 1 in 5 children. Eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity are the main causes of obesity, especially in combination. Obesity can be hereditary, so some people are at increased risk. Genetic factors can affect appetite, the rate at which you burn energy (metabolic rate) and how the body stores fat.

Diet composition can play a role in obesity treatment because it can influence energy intake and nutrient balance. Taking diet pills for obesity treatment has gradually become the trend in recent times. One effective way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories. For most adults, a low-calorie diet of 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day for women and 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day for men is recommended for weight loss. Choose healthy foods. Healthy foods include vegetables, fruits, grains and lean sources of protein, including beans, fish, low-fat dairy products and lean meats. These foods optimize nutrition and taste and promote a healthy weight.