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Obesity is a condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be negatively affected. Technically, it is defined as a body mass index (BMI = weight divided by height squared) of 30 kg/m2 or higher. This distinguishes it from being overweight which is defined by a BMI of between 25-29.9 kg/m2.
Treatment options include dietary advice, anti-obesity drugs, and in severe cases, one of several forms of bariatric surgery.
Many studies show a connection between excessive body weight and various diseases, such as:
As a result, obesity has been found to reduce life expectancy.
With the rate of adult and childhood obesity on the rise, authorities view it as a serious public health problem. Efforts to address this "epidemic" include population-wide measures to improve dietary choices and increase physical exercise.
Specialist
Obesity Treatment Center
Helpful Links
http://www.nature.com/oby/index.html
http://www.tops.org/
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