Obesity
...other mammals, is increased to a point where it is a risk factor for certain health conditions or increased mortality. Obesity develops from the interaction of individual biology and the environment. Excessive body weight has been shown to predispose to various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis.[1] Obesity is both an individual clinical condition and is increasingly viewed as a serious public health problem.
Contents [hide]
1 Definition
1.1 BMI
1.2 Waist circumference
1.3 Body fat measurement
1.4 Gestalt
1.5 Risk factors and comorbidities
2 Causes
2.1 Causative factors
2.2 Evolutionary aspects
2.3 Neurobiological mechanisms
2.4 Poverty link
3 Complications
4 Therapy
5 Cultural and social significance
5.1 Etymology
5.2 History and obesity
5.3 Contemporary culture
5.4 Popular culture
6 Public health and policy
6.1 Prevalence
6.2 Environmental factors
6.3 Public health and policy responses
6.4 Non-medical consequences
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Definition
In the clinical setting, obesity is typically evaluated by measuring BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, and evaluating the presence of risk factors and comorbidities.[1] In epidemiological studies BMI alone is used to define obesity.
BMI
BMI, or Body Mass Index, was developed by the Belgian statistician and anthropometrist Adolphe Quetelet.[2] It is calculated by dividing the subject's weight in kilograms by the square of his/her height in metres (BMI = kg / m2).
The current definitions commonly in use establish the following values, agreed in 1997 and published in 2000:[3]
A BMI less than 18.5 is underweight
A BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is normal weight
A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight
A BMI of 30.0 - 39.9 is obese
A BMI of 40.0 or higher is severely...
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