Obesity

What is Obesity?

If someone is obese, it means they are seriously overweight as a result of having too much body fat. The exact level of obesity is determined by reference to the Body Mass Index (BMI). A score of 30 or above on the BMI indicates obesity. A score of 40 indicates severe obesity.

Obesity and Disease

Obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and stroke. It is also associated with higher rates of certain types of cancer.

Obesity and Women

Obese women are more likely than non-obese women to die from cancer of the gallbladder, breast, uterus, cervix and ovaries.

If You are Very Overweight

Even if you are very overweight, do not despair. Losing even 5-10 per cent of your body weight can cause a significant improvement in your health!