By: Jess Cullell scar Gell Guillermo Martnez

When people eat more calories than they burn off, their bodies store the extra calories as fat. A couple of pounds of extra body fat are not a health risk for most people. But when people keep up a pattern of eating more calories than they burn, more and more fat builds up in their bodies. Eventually, the body gets to a point where the amount of body fat can have a negative effect on a person's health. Doctors use the terms "overweight" or "obese" to describe when someone is at greatest risk of developing weightrelated health problems. As you've probably heard, more people are overweight today than ever before. Experts are calling this an "obesity epidemic." This health problem affects young people as well as adults one third of all kids between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight or obese. So younger people are now developing health problems that used to affect only adults, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity tends to run in families. Some people have a genetic tendency to gain weight more easily than others because they burn calories more slowly. During times when food was scarce, this was a real advantage. But now that food is available 24/7 in most industrialized countries, an efficient metabolism that once ensured our survival now works to our disadvantage.

75% 70% 65% 60% - - - Past projection New data points

Rate of overweight

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 1970 France Korea 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 USA Spain Italy Canada

England

Year

The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.

poor eating habits overeating or binging lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids) family history of obesity medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems) medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications) stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse) family and peer problems low self-esteem depression or other emotional problems

The consequences of obesity can be split into two groups, physical and social. Coronary heart disease High blood pressure Strokes Type 2 diabetes Some cancers Experiencing fertility problems Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.