Health and Medical Information

Overweight is a term used to describe a person who has more body fat than that is needed for the proper functioning of the body. Being overweight is very common among people today, especially in the Western World. This is very common in U.S. and other developed nations, where food (in particular fast food or junk food) of poor nutritional quality is abundant and easily available. To compound this with the fact that people abstain from exercise and regular health checks at the doctor. All in all commercial interests have a huge role to play in defining our attitude to our bodies. Almost all dieting and weight loss companies target teenage girls and boys in order to instill in them a feeling of being overweight or simply not thin enough. Many times this has the effect that they accept that they will never be good enough and lose the will to be really healthy.

Recent studies have revealed that, 3 out of every 5 adults in United States are overweight. For a person to stay healthy, the body requires a certain percentage of body fat, which ideally is between 20% and 25% for women and in range of 15% and 20% for men. Essential fats are necessary for the proper functioning of hormonal, immune, and reproductive systems. Apart from that, fats also act as alternate energy resource for the body.

However, due to factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetic factors your body can store excess body fat creating a situation of overweight. Obesity can only be overcome by maintaining a healthy lifestyle by taking proper nutrition coupled with proper exercise. Consistency is a key to combating overweight, as this is the key that defines success or failure in shedding those extra pounds.