Your weight is important. That is why doctors keep an eye on it every time you visit for a checkup. As too much or too little weight can be a matter of concern. But these days, being overweight is more common than being underweight and obesity has reached epidemic levels in developed as well as developing countries.

Being obese mean that the affected person has more body fat than is healthy. Although having some level of body fat can be okay, having it in excess can lead to many health issues like pain in bones & joints, shortness of breath while performing day to day tasks, restlessness while sleeping etc. Excess fat can also increase the chances of getting cardiovascular diseases like High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, & Diabetes. Even if someone is free from the health risks attached to it, there are chances that overweight individuals may feel conscious about their self-image and might be teased or feel bad about themselves, leading to psychological problems like anxiety and depression. But the critical question is: How & Why do people become obese?

Several factors contribute to obesity. The most common of them can be: poor diet habits, lack of exercise, heredity, or a combination of all of them. But in some instances, too much weight gain may be due to an endocrine problem like Type 1 Diabetes, or intake of certain medicines.

What can we do to prevent or control obesity?

The best way to keep a healthy weight is through staying active. If your schedule or other things stop you from being active daily, then you can make up for it by choosing the stairs when an elevator is available or walking short distances instead of travelling through vehicles. You might also want to spend less time with your smartphone & other gadgets if you want to stay active.

Above all, the most crucial part of staying fit is a healthy diet. Make sure you eat various foods and aim to get up to five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Try to choose water, natural juice, and low fat milk over soda and other sugary drinks. When it comes to high calorie foods, eat them only once in a while, and in small portions.
If you are still struggling to control your weight, then consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor. The doctor may suggest ways of ways of changing your eating and exercising habits.