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 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''' 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 his health.

If an adult's weight is at least 20% higher than their ideal weight (which is based upon the person's height), 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>

If an adult's weight is at least 20% higher than his ideal weight (which is based upon the person's height), he 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>  

 

Because ideal weights vary by age and gender, childhood 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>

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 also increasing in many developed countries.

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 also increasing in many developed countries.

== Causes ==

== Causes ==

==Obesity in the United States==

==Obesity in the United States==

The incidence of obesity varies by region within the United States. In 2010, the five leanest states (that is, the states with the lowest rates of obesity) were [[Colorado]], [[Connecticut]], the [[District of Columbia]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Hawaii]]. The five states with the highest rates of obesity were [[Mississippi]], [[Alabama]], [[Tennessee]], [[West Virginia]],and [[Louisiana ]]. <ref>http://calorielab.com/news/2010/06/28/fattest-states-2010/</ref> A recent study states that in 2010, the only state with less than a 20% obesity rate is Colorado. Twenty years ago, there were no states with an obesity rate higher than 15%.<ref>[http://getbetterhealth.com/more-bad-news-about-the-obesity-epidemic-in-america/2011.07.22 More bad news about the obesity epidemic in-America]</ref>

The incidence of obesity varies by region within the United States. In 2010, the five leanest states (that is, the states with the lowest rates of obesity) were [[Colorado]], [[Connecticut]], the [[District of Columbia]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Hawaii]]. The five states with the highest rates of obesity were [[Mississippi]], [[Alabama]], [[Tennessee]], [[West Virginia]],and [[Louisiana ]]. <ref>http://calorielab.com/news/2010/06/28/fattest-states-2010/</ref> A recent study states that in 2010, the only state with less than a 20% obesity rate is Colorado. Twenty years ago, there were no states with an obesity rate higher than 15%.<ref>[http://getbetterhealth.com/more-bad-news-about-the-obesity-epidemic-in-america/2011.07.22 More bad news about the obesity epidemic in-America]</ref>