Dr. Phil says that you can't change what you don't acknowledge. I have been obese for 25 years and I faithfully get an annual physical. Not once has a doctor mentioned my obesity. Were they being polite because they knew me professionally or is it like the elephant in the room so let's not talk about it? Several years ago, when I was asked my weight when renewing my Drivers license,( I don't think you have to do that anymore) I decided that I was not going to lie anymore but tell the truth about my weight. I believe that being faithful and truthful in small things will lead me to being faithful and truthful in all things and that's important to me. I don't want to pretend that I'm not obese anymore.
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health. People are generally considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the person's height, is over 7002294199500000000♠30 kg/m2, with the range 7002245166250000000♠25–30 kg/m2 defined as overweight.[1] Some East Asian countries use lower values. Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.[3]
Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. (from Wikipedia)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) define morbid obesity as: Being 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight. Or, having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater. Or, having a BMI of 35 or greater and one or more co-morbid conditions.
Obesity in the United States has been increasingly cited as a major health issue in recent decades. While many
industrialized countries have experienced similar increases, obesity rates in the United States are among the highest in the world. Obesity has continued to grow within the United States. Two out of every three Americans are considered to be overweight or obese. During the early 21st century, America often contained the highest percentage of obese people in the world. Obesity has led to over 120,000 preventable deaths each year in the United States. An obese person in America incurs an average of $1,429 more in medical expenses annually. Approximately $147 billion is spent in added medical expenses per year within the United States. (from Wikipedia).
This is not meant as a judgment or condemnation. We are all on this journey called life and we have different struggles and need to love and support each other. If we acknowledge our problems and ask for help, we will be better prepared to fix it. This day, let's work together to understand and reduce obesity.
