Overweight
Being overweight is having more body fat than is considered healthy. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies people as overweight when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's weight divided by the square of the person's height—is between 25–30 kg/m2; BMIs above 30 kg/m2 are defined as obese. Being overweight is especially common where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are sedentary.
As of 2003, high BMIs reached high proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults being considered overweight or obese. In 2013, this increased to more than 2 billion. Increases have been observed across all age groups.
A healthy body requires fat for proper functioning of the hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems, as thermal insulation, as shock absorption for sensitive areas, and as energy for future use; however, the accumulation of too much storage fat can impair movement and flexibility. Some people are naturally heavier and the body positivity movement has worked to reduce body shaming and improve self-confidence amongst heavierset people.
At a basic and fundamental level, the treatments called for are diet and exercise. More extensive treatment may involve support groups like Overeaters Anonymous and mental health treatment. The degree to which treatment is necessary varies culturally and with a medical assessment of an unhealthy weight, treatment has been facilitated by weight loss drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Chapter 11
- 2011-07-04T00:00:00.000000Z
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