Final answer:
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index higher than 30 kg/m². Severe obesity (morbid obesity) can lead to serious health conditions. Losing weight can help reduce or reverse the complications associated with obesity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Obesity is defined by the body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of a person's weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. The normal, or healthy, BMI range is between 18 and 24.9 kg/m². Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m², and obesity is considered to be a BMI greater than 30 kg/m². Severe obesity (morbid obesity) or long-term obesity can result in serious medical conditions, including coronary heart disease; type 2 diabetes; endometrial, breast, or colon cancer; hypertension (high blood pressure); dyslipidemia (high cholesterol or elevated triglycerides); stroke; liver disease; gall bladder disease; sleep apnea or respiratory diseases; osteoarthritis; and infertility. Research has shown that losing weight can help reduce or reverse the complications associated with these conditions.