The definition of obesity states clearly that there is a difference between being obese and being overweight. Being obese is a condition in which an individual has an excessive accumulation of bodily fat tissue; an encumbrance of flesh. Being overweight means that individuals weigh more than what commonly-accepted weight charts show they should for their given heights, ages and body types. So, it is possible to be overweight, but not obese. However, most of the time, obese people are also overweight and vice versa.

More significant is the fact that both being obese and/or being overweight are conditions that are characterized as follows:

• Create an increase in the risks associated with almost every known disease and negative health condition;
• Cause the body to age prematurely;
• Strip away happiness, vitality, self-confidence and energy levels from an individual;
• Are very most often completely preventable;
• Can be effectively reversed in almost every instance;

In America, and more and more often in countries that wish to emulate America, fast food and obesity are very interrelated. In fact, the shift from planning and preparing wholesome, nutritionally-balanced meals at home is the primary cause for the record high obesity levels in the US today. Since 1980, when people first began to ignore their sex-role differences, the country has grown massively fat. Meals are now procured from McDonald€™s, Burger King and Wendy€™s because people are €œjust too busy€ to cook and eat at home. This may be true in some cases, but the results are still the same; the obesity facts speak for themselves, and they are speaking louder and louder every year.

Obesity in children and obesity in teens are at all-time highs as our young people eat toxic, nutritionally-voided foods and get less and less physical activity. Video games, the Internet, HDTVs and so many other non-physical activities dominate the lives of the youth today. Parents who refuse to acknowledge the truth and simply look the other way remain oblivious to the fact that their children are being taught to sacrifice their health €“ and that they will surely pay for doing so.

Obesity diseases are at all-time high rates as well €“ every one of them. Here are just a few of the epidemic health issues that are facing all Americans both young and old today:

• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• All types of diabetes insipidus;
• Coronary heart disease, myocardial infarctions and other circulatory-based health issues;
• All forms of cancer;
• Strokes;
• Arthritis and gout;
• Atherosclerosis;
• Arthrosclerosis;
• High cholesterol;
• High blood pressure (hypertension);
• Liver disease;
• Kidney failure;
• Premature ageing;
• Death;

The time is far past to realize that being obese and/or being overweight is not €œOK€. Individuals, especially parents, need to become proactive in implementing holistic lifestyle modifications within their families. The definition of obesity is evolving; soon it will include an element describing its very obvious epidemic levels in mainstream society. Make intentional changes beginning today to save your family and yourself from the devastating effects of obesity.

Defeat the debilitating effects of obesity starting right now!