Obesity is a complex and serious health issue facing people today. Before one can effectively treat obesity, they must understand what it is and what causes it.
Obesity can be classified as a medical condition in which the body has stored so much excessive fat that it results in negative health effects, and may eventually lead to premature death. There are two levels of obesity, both of which are configured by your Body Mass Index, or a combined measurement of your height and weight. Those with a BMI of 30-39 are considered obese and those with a BMI of 40 and higher are considered morbidly obese.
Scientifically, obesity is caused by people consuming more calories than are used by their bodies. Over time, the calories add up and extreme weight gain occurs. The CDC says that this behavior could be caused by a number of factors, including genetic susceptibility, disease, metabolism, environment, culture and socioeconomic status.