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'''Obesity''' is a medical classification regarding an extreme and unhealthy level of excessive body weight. It is a more serious classification on the [[Body Mass Index]] (BMI) scale than ''overweight''. From a medical perspective, an [[obese]] person has accumulated enough body fat that it can have a negative effect on their health. If an adult's weight is at least 20% higher than it should be, he/she is generally considered obese. An adult with a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI is 30 or over is considered obese.<ref>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/obesity/</ref> In children, because ideal weights vary by age and gender, obesity is normally determined using a modified BMI table. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) publishes a set of tables used to determine BMI percentages children and teens. In these tables, children whose weight is equal to or greater than the 95% bracket are considered obese.<ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html About BMI for Children and Teens]</ref> In addition, the term obese can be used in a more general way to simply mean the "excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body".<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obesity?show=0&t=1293887890 Definition of obesity]</ref> Some physical consequences of medical obesity include Type 2 [[diabetes]], strain on joints, and an increased risk of [[stroke]], [[heart attack]] and [[cancer]]. Obesity has become more common in the [[United States]] and is increasing in many developed countries.

'''Obesity''' is a medical classification regarding an extreme and unhealthy level of excessive body weight. It is a more serious classification on the [[Body Mass Index]] (BMI) scale than the ''overweight'' classification is. From a medical perspective, an [[obese]] person has accumulated enough body fat that it can have a negative effect on their health.

Obesity has many causes, including personal choices and thus controllable such as sinful overeating ([[gluttony]]) and/or lack of exercise. It can also be caused by improper hormone production or other malfunctions of various brain structures, including in particular the [[hypothalamus]] (site of the reward pathways, [this action=release of serotonin=feeling of pleasure]) and [[thyroid]] gland. A 2003 Duke University study shows a possible relationship between the number of children a person has and an increased risk of obesity. A woman's risk of obesity is raised 7% with each child; a man's risk is raised by 4%.<ref>[http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/154099904322836492 Number of Children Associated with Obesity in Middle-Aged Women and Men: Results from the Health and Retirement Study]</ref>

 

 

 

 

Obesity has many causes, including controllable personal choices such as overeating ([[gluttony]]) and/or lack of exercise. It can also be caused by improper hormone production or other malfunctions of various brain structures, including in particular the [[hypothalamus]] (site of the reward pathways, [this action=release of serotonin=feeling of pleasure]) and [[thyroid]] gland. A 2003 Duke University study shows a possible relationship between the number of children a person has and an increased risk of obesity. A woman's risk of obesity is raised 7% with each child; a man's risk is raised by 4%.<ref>[http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/154099904322836492 Number of Children Associated with Obesity in Middle-Aged Women and Men: Results from the Health and Retirement Study]</ref>

Obesity is most dangerous among the children and the elderly, whose bones, [[liver]]s, and [[lung]]s are too weak to deal with the excess weight and fat. Obesity can significantly shorten a person's lifespan.

Obesity is most dangerous among the children and the elderly, whose bones, [[liver]]s, and [[lung]]s are too weak to deal with the excess weight and fat. Obesity can significantly shorten a person's lifespan.