A Look At The Different Types Of Obesity
Before attempting to list or categorize the different types of obesity, it might be helpful to define the term first. We usually recognize obesity when we see it although there is a tendency to notice it on others before we notice it on ourselves. Obesity is an accumulation of excess fat in the body, often to the point where a person's health and well being are in danger. Obesity doesn't just result in giving one an unattractive appearance, but can at times lead to serious diseases, two of the more common being diabetes and heart disease.
Classes Of Obesity - Defining whether someone is overweight, fat, or obese, is somewhat subjective, and the definitions tend to overlap. When we say that someone is truly obese however, they are usually very, very fat, and often fat all over. Clinically, the types of obesity could be viewed as being divided into three classes. A person having Class 1 obesity could have fairly noticeable "love handles" about the thighs, or a "chunky" appearance, which we often observe in younger men, who are doing quite well, eating and drinking a little too much, and not getting much exercise. The person with Class 2 obesity is on the way to what we would begin to consider as being fat. Women would begin to put on a significant amount of weight around their thighs and buttocks, leading to the familiar "pear shape". Men would show the beginnings of the beer belly, putting on weight around the lower abdomen, and gaining what could be best described as having a "barrel shape" or an "apple shape". Class 3 obesity usually indicates one has grown substantially around the middle and lower abdomen, and more than likely has accumulated fat in the limbs, and in the face, as well. A person with Class 3 obesity may have difficulty walking or getting around, and in general can become quite susceptible to various diseases.
A Practical Example - While these ranges may vary with how one chooses to define obesity, take the case of an adult who, when in good physical condition would weight 150 pounds. An additional 20 pounds would put that person into the Class 1 category. A chunky look, love handles, and a few extra pounds around the waist or thighs may be observable. The Class 1 type certainly doesn't seem to be what we would call fat, just a little overweight. Add another 20 pounds, and the person is entering Class 2 territory. At 190 pounds, he or she is very definitely overweight and can't disguise it. While they may not yet be becoming flabby in appearance, they definitely take on the look of a "5 pound sausage stuffed into a 3 pound bag", as one person so elegantly put it. With the addition of another 20 pounds, and now weighing 210 pounds, or more, has taken the individual into Class 3 territory, where he or she is apt to continue to gain weight unless taking steps to prevent it. At this stage, obesity has taken on the characteristics of a disease, often a life-threatening disease.
Causes Of Obesity - What causes the different types of obesity? Some claim they've inherited it. That is indeed true for some people, but most are obese simply because they eat too much. Others become obese due to a disease or disorder. Hypothyroidism can cause one to put on weight, and in some cases become quite obese. The reason for this is that the thyroid condition has caused the person's metabolism to slow down, so what is being eaten is not being turned into energy rapidly enough, and is being stored as fat instead. If we eat too much, the effect is the same, even though our metabolic rate may be normal. The body just can't keep up with the excessive amount of calories we're taking in, so stores it safely away, as fat.
Obesity can be treated, though it's often a long term process. It's a condition best avoided whenever possible. If you're one of the less fortunate few who have a thyroid condition or appear to have inherited a tendency towards becoming obese, it would be in your best interest to get professional help in dealing with it, before it becomes a serious problem.