Final answer:
Health risks associated with being overweight or obese include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and arthritis. Obesity increases inflammation and changes in metabolism, leading to serious health problems. Managing obesity requires lifestyle interventions and understanding contributory factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some health risks associated with being overweight or obese include an increased likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a critical public health issue, with a significant portion of the adult population in countries like the United States falling into this category. When discussing obesity, one key measure is the body mass index (BMI), which categorizes weight relative to height. A BMI above 25 is considered overweight, and above 30 is classified as obese.
Obesity puts extra stress on the body and its organs, potentially leading to various diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer (such as colon and breast cancer), arthritis, and reproductive issues. These consequences are often a result of increased inflammation and changes in metabolism due to excess body fat and an increased number of fat cells. Furthermore, individuals who are obese throughout their adulthood tend to have shorter life spans compared to those maintaining a healthy weight.
Addressing obesity involves understanding the contributing factors, which encompass overeating, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predispositions. Interventions include promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and, in some cases, medical treatments. Substantial research efforts aim to reduce obesity rates and improve public health outcomes.