Obesity and Weight Control

Warming Up

Practice 1

Look at the photographs below and in pairs or group answer the questions that follows.

1 2

1. What do you see in picture 1?

2. Do you think it is okay to take pill to reduce weight?

3. What do you see in picture 2?

4. In your opinion, what is the best way to control weight?

5. What should be consumed more to maintain weight?

 Reading
Read the text following text very carefully.
Obesity; Symptoms, Causes and Risks

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a
cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health
problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. There are
many reasons why some people have difficulty losing weight. Usually, obesity results from
inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with diet, physical activity and
exercise choices. The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the
health problems associated with obesity. A healthier diet, increased physical activity and
behavior changes can help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss
procedures are additional options for treating obesity.

Body mass index (BMI) is often used to diagnose obesity. To calculate BMI, multiply weight in
pounds by 703, divide by height in inches and then divide again by height in inches or divide
weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable
estimate of body fat. However, BMI doesn't directly measure body fat, so some people, such
as muscular athletes, may have a BMI in the obesity category even though they don't have
excess body fat. Many doctors also measure a person's waist circumference to help guide
treatment decisions. Weight-related health problems are more common in men with a waist
circumference over 40 inches (102 centimeters) and in women with a waist measurement
over 35 inches (89 centimeters).

Although there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal influences on body weight,
obesity occurs when you take in more calories than you burn through normal daily activities
and exercise. Your body stores these excess calories as fat. In the United States, most people's
diets are too high in calories — often from fast food and high-calorie beverages. People with
obesity might eat more calories before feeling full, feel hungry sooner, or eat more due to
stress or anxiety. Many people who live in Western countries now have jobs that are much
less physically demanding, so they don't tend to burn as many calories at work. Even daily
activities use fewer calories, courtesy of conveniences such as remote controls, escalators,
online shopping and drive-through banks.

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health
problems, including heart disease and strokes. Obesity makes people more likely to have high
blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease and
strokes. Obesity can affect the way the body uses insulin to control blood sugar levels. This
raises the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. Obesity may increase the risk of cancer of
the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas, kidney and prostate. Obesity also increases the likelihood of developing heartburn,
gallbladder disease and liver problems.
 Practice 2
222
Answer these following questions based on the text above.
1. What is obesity?

2. What does obesity result from?

3. What is used to diagnose obesity and how?

4. How does obesity occur?

5. What are potential serious health problems caused by obesity?

Vocabulary

Practice 3
222
Complete the crossword below with the words from the reading text above.

1 3 5
2
6

8
DOWN
1. All the chemical processes in the body, especially those that cause food to be used for
energy and growth
2. A disease in which the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood.
3. A unit of energy, often used as a measurement of the amount of energy that food
provides
4. Belonging or relating to genes (parts of the DNA in cells) received from the parents

ACROSS
5. Illness of people, animals, plants caused by infection or a failure of health rather than
by an accident.
6. To recognize and name the exact character of a disease or a problem, by examining it
7. The fact of being extremely fat, in a way that is dangerous for health

8. Great worry caused by a difficult situation, or something that causes this condition

Practice 4
222
Match the word with its definition
WORDS

1. habit
2. overweight
3. chronic
4. obesity
5. gallbladder
6. uterus
7. behavioral
8. treatment
9. potential

10. colon
DEFINITIONS

a. the fact of being extremely fat, in a way that is dangerous for health

b. the way that someone behaves

c. a small organ in the body, connected to the liver, that stores bile (a bitter liquid that
helps to digest food)

d. the amount that something or someone

e. the lower and bigger half of the bowels in which water is removed from solid waste

f. possible when the necessary conditions exist

g. a disease continuing for a long time

h. the way something is considered and examined

i. something that is done often and regularly

j. the organ in the body of a woman or other female mammal in which a baby develops
before birth

Writing

Practice 5
222
Complete the following paragraph using the provided words in the box.
What is Healthy Weight Loss?
It’s natural for anyone trying to lose weight to want to lose it very quickly. But people
who lose weight 1)…………………….. and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more
successful at keeping weight off. Healthy weight loss isn’t just about a “diet” or “program”.
It’s about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise
habits. Once you’ve achieved a 2)………………………. weight, rely on healthy eating and physical
activity to help you keep the weight off over the long term.
Even a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight is likely to
produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood 3)………………………, blood cholesterol,
and blood sugars. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5 percent weight loss equals 10
pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds. While this weight may still be in the
“4)………………………… ” or “obese” range, this modest weight loss can decrease your risk factors
for chronic diseases related to obesity. So even if the overall goal seems large, see it as a
journey rather than just a final destination. You’ll learn new eating and 5)……………………..
activity habits that will help you live a healthier lifestyle. These habits may help you maintain
your weight loss over time.

overweight healthy physical gradually pressure

Practice 6
222
Complete the poster below with the name of potential health problem (provided in the box) caused by
obesity.

6
1

7
3

8 9
4 5

a. Gallbladder Disease f. Heart Disease and Stroke

b. Fatty Liver Disease g. Osteoarthritis
c. High Blood Pressure h. Type 2 Diabetes
d. Sleep Apnea i. High Cholesterol
e. Cancer
 Practice 7
222
Practical Assignment

Work individually and make a poster about how to prevent obesity.