Introduction: Obesity
Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of excessive fat around specific areas of the human body while maintaining a consistent height. This surplus fat often gives rise to various obesity-related medical issues. Individuals tend to gain weight in regions such as the hips, buttocks, abdomen, waist, and shoulders. When this weight surpasses a manageable or comfortable level, it is identified as being obese. However, it is crucial to differentiate between being obese and casual terms like ‘chubby’ or ‘fatty,’ which may carry different connotations.
Another term frequently used to describe an obese individual is ‘overweight’ or ‘weighty.’ This implies that the person carries excess weight in specific areas. Generally, if a person’s height is not proportionate to their body weight, they are considered ‘weighty,’ and this condition is referred to as being obese.
Definition of Obesity
If being obese is to be described through definitions and terminology, it refers to an unhealthy accumulation of fat in certain areas of the body. This condition is termed being obese and signifies excess fat localized in specific body regions. Despite this general understanding, a closer analysis is necessary to establish the precise nature of being obese. In the field of medical science, being obese is often quantified using the body mass index (BMI) (Bagchi & Preuss, 2012). However, Michael S. Fenster, in a recent article in The New York Times, cited the Council on Science and Public Health, arguing that “obesity should not be considered a disease … because the measure usually used to define being obese, the body mass index, is simplistic and flawed.”
This viewpoint challenges the conventional perception that being obese is solely the condition of an obese person. This raises questions about whether obesity is a medical condition and, if so, what type of explanation is required to determine its status. Fenster defines being obese as a disorder with the potential to lead to various other disorders. However, the National Institute of Health (NIH), a reputable authority on the matter, states that being obese is a condition where BMI exceeds 30kg/m2, indicating that BMI should be in direct proportion to the person’s height (Definition of Obese).
Despite these definitions, there remains ambiguity about the specific location of being obese in the body. The Harvard School of Public Health provides clarity by describing it as “abdominal obesity,” implying that a person is considered obese if they have excess fat around their abdomen.
Explanation of Obesity
This explanation supports the view that being obese is indeed a medical problem. In an article published in Macmillan Magazines, Peter G. Kopelman delves into various aspects of being obese, emphasizing its status as a serious medical problem. Kopelman acknowledges that being obese can result from factors ranging from simple overeating to complex genetic susceptibility, high-energy diets, or physical immobility. He highlights the use of different aspects, such as BMI, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness, to evaluatebeing obese. Moreover, he outlines the associated health issues linked to being obese, including diabetes mellitus, cancer, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, and cardiac problems (Kopelman, 2000).
Discussing being obese as a medical model for study, Virginia V. Chang and Christakis argue that it is a disease with an individualized nature. They stress that the problem and disease of being obese are situated within the individual, and the human body is considered the focal point for explanation, perception, diagnosis, and intervention. While acknowledging social factors like environment and material context, they assert that lifestyle choices, food consumption, and human behavior are crucial factors. In essence, they argue that being obese, as a medical problem, is intertwined with individual choices, leading to the development of “obesity-prone behavior” and subsequent psycho-pathological conditions (Chang & Christakis, 2002, p. 153). This underscores the notion that, regardless of its causes, being obese is a severe medical problem that can result in various health complications if not properly controlled or treated.
Works Cited
- Bagchi, Debasis & Harry G. Preuss (2013). Obesity: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Prevention. CNC Press.
- Definition of Obesity. (2015). Definition of Obesity. Retrieved June 07, 2023, from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11760
- Fenster, M. (2013, June 22). Is Being Fat a Disease? Retrieved June 07, 2023, from Alternet: http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/being-fat-disease-american-medical-association-says-yes-though-its-definition
- Kopelman, P. G. (2000, April 06). Obesity as a Medical Problem. Macmillan Magazines Ltd, 404(2), 634-652.
- Obesity Definition. (2015). Obesity Prevention Source. Retrieved June 07, 2023, from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-definition/
- Virginia W. Chang, N. A. (2002). Medical Modelling of Obesity: A Transition from Action to Experience in a 20th Cenutry American Medical Textg Book. Sociology of Health and Illness, 24(2), 151-177.
Relevant Questions
- What are the key factors contributing to the rise of being obese?
- How can society address the complex issue of being obese?
- In what ways does being obese impact both physical and mental health?