Obesity results from the excess accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. According to the American Obesity Association, obesity is a disease. Obesity is defined as being 20% or more over ideal weight (BMI >25). Ideal weight is the weight associated with the longest life. Ideal weight tables show the ideal weight as it relates to gender and height.

Obesity results when there is an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. In other words, you consume more calories than you expend in your daily activities. There can also be medical causes for obesity, such as glandular irregularities. Many glandular problems are now medically treatable.

This surgery is obviously a very serious step. Patients with psychiatric conditions such as depression, bipolar disease, and/or schizophrenia should be under the care of a psychiatrist before they consider surgery. These conditions can become exaggerated by the body changes that are associated with weight loss. There are some medical conditions which make the surgery too dangerous to perform. These occur rarely but must be taken into account.

Morbid obesity is a much more severe form of obesity. A person who is 100 or more pounds overweight or twice the ideal body weight and has a BMI of 40 or a BMI of 35 with multiple co-morbidities is morbidly obese. Morbid obesity affects an estimated 9 million Americans. Morbid obesity is a common condition that can have profoundly negative health and social consequences. It is considered a serious disease and has been linked to shortened life expectancy.

Yes, just like pregnancy, any factor that increases pressure in the veins could result in formation of varicose veins and spider veins.

Because obesity is a chronic disease, it requires long-term management. The focus is often on reducing the risk for developing health problems as much as on losing weight. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that treatment be based on the degree of obesity and overall health risk status. If you are obese, you should try to initially lose about 10% of your current weight, at a rate of 1 lb (0.45 kg) to 2 lb (0.

Being obese (and overweight) often begins in childhood; studies note that 30% of adult obesity begins at this time. Without treatment, most people who are obese will either continue to slowly gain weight or remain at their current weight. With treatment, most people who are obese will be able to lose some weight or stop gaining weight. Most of those who lose weight do gain some back.