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Obesity is a pathological state characterized by exaggerated storage of body
fat in the subcutaneous tissue and between internal
body organs. Excess weight is considered Obesity
when the percentage of fat or body mass is above
average, not only based on excess weight or overweight.
A person is considered obese when his Body Mass
Index (BMI) is above average, regardless of him
being in his ideal body weight. The normal range
of BMI for a man is from 10% to 14%, and for a
woman from 18% to 25% of their total body tissue.
When obesity is mainly present in the lower half
of the body (hips, thighs, and legs) it’s
called Gynecoid or “pear shape” type
obesity, and it’s frequently seen in women.
The Android or “apple shape” type
obesity is found when obesity is distributed in
the upper half of the body (face, neck, arms,
and mid-section), and it’s more commonly
found in men. The later is related to a higher
level of storage of visceral fat, and is the most
frequently linked to cardiovascular diseases.
Global obesity appears when body fat is distributed
all through the body surface and it’s characteristic
in the super obese individuals.
Obesity is considered “morbid” when
it reaches the point in when the risk of one or
more health conditions or severe illnesses related
to obesity, that can cause physical incapacity
or even death is significantly elevated. In this
sense, obesity is the number one risk factor that
can be controlled, and is directly related to
many diseases (called “co-morbid”),
such as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis,
embolism, infertility, strokes, and certain types
of cancer. Management of obesity has turned into
the main tool to prevent many diseases and illnesses,
and the treatment for many patients already suffering
these diseases.
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