Changes

'''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 a person's weight is at least 20% higher than it should be, he/she is generally considered obese. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or over you are considered obese.<ref>http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/obesity/</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</ref> Some consequences of medical obesity include Type 2 [[diabetes]], strain on joints, and an increased risk of [[stroke]] and [[heart attack]]. 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 ''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 has many causes, including some that are choice and 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.

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 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.

[[Liberal|Liberals']] answer to this problem has been to shift responsibility from those who are overeating (not including people with medical factors that cause the problems), to regulating how much fat can be in foods, what foods can be served at what restaurants, and trying to put financial penalties on restaurants that serve "fatty" foods.

[[Liberal|Liberals']] answer to this problem has been to shift responsibility from those who are overeating (not including people with medical factors that cause the problems), to regulating how much fat can be in foods, what foods can be served at what restaurants, and trying to put financial penalties on restaurants that serve "fatty" foods.

==World issues on Hunger vs. Obesity==

==World issues on Hunger vs. Obesity==

It has been noted that world obesity has risen, yet there is still an endless problem with starvation and hunger and malnutrition in both America and the world at large.  A growing problem is food distribution being horded and poorly distributed by groups like the United Nations, as well as poor food choices made by the less fortunate who would rather spend limited dollars on treat-like foods than on (admittedly harder to cook and less tasty, but better for you) choices like beans, rice, and canned vegetables.  Liberals tend to deny the roles of personal choice and problems like greed in the UN, rather blaming the "establishment" for the entire problem of both hunger and obesity.

It has been noted that world obesity has risen, yet there is still an endless problem with starvation and hunger and malnutrition in both America and the world at large.  A growing problem is food being horded and poorly distributed by groups like the United Nations, as well as poor food choices made by the less fortunate who would rather spend limited dollars on treat-like foods than on (admittedly harder to cook and less tasty, but better for you) choices like beans, rice, and canned vegetables.  Liberals tend to deny the roles of personal choice and problems like greed in the UN, rather blaming the "establishment" for the entire problem of both hunger and obesity.

== Psychology, obesity, religiosity and atheism ==

== Psychology, obesity, religiosity and atheism ==

In 2007, a purported [[lesbian]] wrote to [[Andrew Sullivan]], the political commentator and administrator of ''The Daily Dish'' blog:

In 2007, a purported [[lesbian]] wrote to [[Andrew Sullivan]], the political commentator and administrator of ''The Daily Dish'' blog:

{{Cquote|And - oh heck, I'll admit it - aesthetics have value, too! As a woman, I may not be as focused on looks as men are predisposed to be, but I sure am tired of seeing so many queer ladies out there who are way past 200 pounds. Way, way past. Sorry, but no amount of "fat acceptance" is going to make that a pleasant sight - gay, straight, butch, femme, male or female.<ref>http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/05/obesity_and_les.html</ref>}}

{{Cquote|And - oh heck, I'll admit it - aesthetics have value, too! As a woman, I may not be as focused on looks as men are predisposed to be, but I sure am tired of seeing so many queer ladies out there who are way past 200 pounds. Way, way past. Sorry, but no amount of "fat acceptance" is going to make that a pleasant sight - gay, straight, butch, femme, male or female.<ref>http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/05/obesity_and_les.html</ref>}}