Obesity may be defined as a condition in which there is an excessive amount of body fat. This is one of the most commonest diseases found all over the world.

Obesity is the commonest disease in the United States. The aged are particularly prone to it, when one by one other physical pleasures have been outlived or denied, and there remains only the joys of the table.

-Richard A. Kern, 1951

Age : This is most prevalent in middle age and can occur at any stage of life.

Socio-economic : In developing countries it is more prevalent in the wealthy society, whereas in fully developed countries it is more common in lower-socioeconomic groups. 

Heredity : Obesity tends to run in families. A clearer role of genetics helps in prevention of obesity on those who are most vulnerable. Eighty percent of the offspring of two obese parents become obese. 

Endocrine factors : Abnormal influence or imbalance can be one of the causes of obesity. Obesity in women commonly begins at puberty, during pregnancy or at menopause. 

Drugs : The use of steroids, oral contraceptives and insulin is commonly followed by weight gain.

Eat a low calorie or carbohydrate diet.
Small frequent meals. 
A high fiber and a low fat diet.
Regular exercise improves the fitness of obese people and their feeling of well-being.

Advantages of exercise :

1. Most obese people are capable of moderate aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, gardening,dancing, provided it does not exceed their cardiovascular capacity.

2. Because of their heavy weight obese people expand more food energy than lean people doing exercise of this type.

3. Regular daily exercise will help in reducing than exercising once in a while. 

There are various appetite suppressing drugs but should be taken only on recommendation by the doctor. Surgery also may be an option but usually as a last resort, only recommended in case of morbid or gross obesity.

Does obesity cause complications ?
Yes. Obese patients are at a risk of developing Diabetes mellitus, Cardiovascular diseases and Hypertension in the long term.

Does a low calorie diet help in losing weight ?
Yes. Weight reduction can be achieved by reducing food intake and by regular exercise. A low calorie diet should constitute a low carbohydrate, high fiber, moderate protein and a low fat diet.

Does exercise help in losing weight ?
1. Most obese people are capable of moderate aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, gardening,dancing, provided it does not exceed their cardiovascular capacity.
2. Because of their heavy weight obese people expand more food energy than lean people doing exercise of this type.
3. Regular daily exercise will help in reducing than exercising once in a while.

What are the methods in surgical treatment ?
1. Wiring the jaws together to prevent eating has been used to treat those who have found it impossible to ahere to a low calorie diet.
2. Although this usually results in marked loss of weight, many patients regain weight when the procedure is reversed.
3. An alternative and fairly safe operation (major) is to reduce the size of the stomach, for eg. by stapling, which can be undone.
4. Small intestine bypass, aimed at inducing mal-absorption, has been undertaken in some centres for the treatment of severe "morbid" obesity, but complications can be severe and sometimes fatal.
5. It should be emphasized that surgery should be considered only for those with gross, interactable obesity.

Body mass index (BMI)- a nutritional indicator

steroids - group of drugs