Obesity

Experts have estimated that at least 10% to 25% of all teenagers and 20% to 50% of adults have a weight problem and it is commonly known that obesity brings many health hazards with it, including heart attacks, strokes and diabetes with all of its complications. Obesity has become a serious concern to all health care practitioners.

The foods we eat every day contribute to our well-being. Foods provide us with the nutrients we need for healthy bodies and the calories we need for energy. If we eat too much, however, the extra food turns to fat and is stored in our bodies. If we overeat regularly, we gain weight, and if we continue to gain weight, we may become obese.

The over-consumption of foods rich in calories and fat is the biggest dietary contributor to obesity and will also cause the excess food that is consumed to be stored as fat deposits. There is also growing evidence that genetic factors may influence the body's tendency to store energy either as fat or as lean body tissue (muscle).

Reversing obesity and its health risks requires changing the habits of a lifetime. Eating less over the long term means learning to think about your eating habits and patterns.