Obesity causes over 300,000 deaths in the United States each year. This staggering number has resulted in a flurry of activity to tackle obesity even in schools. The problem is so acute especially in the United States that some schools have began offering vegetarian diets and the students in those schools are not complaining whatsoever. Many gyms and fitness houses are also seeing an increase in enrollments as people become more informed as to the inherent dangers of obesity. Obesity is defined as a condition where excess body fat accumulates in the body to the extent that it affects one’s overall body health. Body fat is also measured by checking what is called the BMI or body mass index which is one’s weight divided by the height squared. A BMI of 25-30kg/m is considered overweight at that point the person is advices to take some measures to bring it down. So what measures can be taken to induce weight loss?

One is exercise. As we mentioned, body mass or excess fat is arrived at when fat is accumulated in the body. Fat in itself is not bad because it cushions the body and contributes to healthy body heat. But excess fat builds up when more fat builds up than the body can burn or is metabolizing. It therefore goes without saying that to accelerate the burning of excess fat, one has to increase their level of activity in order to burn more fat.

Another way to tackle weight loss is to watch one’s diet. That is where a diet program comes in. But before one embarks on a diet plan, it is considered prudent to shop smart whenever one goes for shopping. Reading the labels determine the calorie level in the can or container is considered wise. More and more people are doing this.

New information from weight loss researchers and nutritionists shows that over 300,000 people die each year from complications resulting from obesity. Obesity is a major problem in the United States and now many other parts of the world. This is where the body accumulates more fat than is being burned by normal metabolism and this causes fat deposits to begin to build up in the belly area, thighs, buttocks and even waist. The problem of obesity is so acute that some schools especially in Atlanta Georgia have began to offer strictly vegetarian diets to their students and the students have embraced this diet well. So what causes obesity?

There is one cause of weight gain that is rather unfortunate-genetics. Sometimes, it is easy to judge people from appearance and form an opinion that their excess weight is as a result of irresponsible eating habits. But doctors report that there are people with genetic maladjustments that cause a problem with the way the body processes food. There are also problems that cause an under-performing thyroid gland that ultimately causes the body metabolism to slow and therefore and accumulation of fat. So one reason why some people are overweight is because of genetic issues.

Another reason why some people might have a weight problem is because they have an eating disorder. In the same token that there are eating disorders which cause bulimia, there are disorders that run in the opposite direction and cause compulsive eating and an abnormal appetitive. A disorder called Pica even has its victims craving non-foods (earth, pens, pencils and anything close by). These disorders which cause excessive eating can be treated and the person can resume normal eating habits.

Another reason for obesity is off course leading a sedentary life of little or no activity. This is common in the West where people use cars to go even short distances.