Obesity

Obesity is excessive body weight. A major consequence of obesity is diabetes. Obesity is a common condition in the United States and is becoming common in many developed countries.

Obesity is often caused by overeating. 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.

Some people consider obesity to be an illness. This is an ongoing controversy in the medical world.

See also

• Naturopathy
• American Medical Association
• Doctor