Types Of Obesity
The Different Types of Obesity
There are various types of obesity. One way to categorize obesity is based on how much a person is overweight. Another is to categorize obesity based on the probable cause for the obesity. Below is a look at both of those categories.
LEVELS
Obesity
While a person can be considered overweight just because they have a few extra pounds, to be considered obese, a person must weigh 20% more than their ideal body weight.
Your ideal body weight is calculated using a number of criteria so the best way to figure it is not to look at some chart. Instead, you should consult your doctor to learn your ideal body weight.
Morbid Obesity
Among the types of obesity, this is the one that poses the most health risks. To be considered morbidly obese, one must have a body mass index of 40 or more. Another more general calculation is that anyone who is 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight is considered morbidly obese.
CAUSES
Hereditary
This is often debated when it appears on lists of types of obesity. The reason for the debate is that while obesity does sometimes run in families, it is not clear whether that is due to genetic reasons or due to the fact that all members of the family make poor eating choices.
What is known is that some people might be more predisposed to becoming obese, but they could curb that result by eating properly and exercising.
Lifestyle
This includes food choices, exercise habits and anything else that would contribute to one becoming overweight and obese.
The good news about this is that if one begins to make proper choices, the extra weight can be lost. Of course, once a person has become obese, it can be more difficult to get motivated to try and lose the weight.
Unlike someone with just a few pounds to lose, someone who has 80, 90 or more pounds to lose can feel like it is too difficult a task and that ever reaching their goal would be impossible.
This can contribute to the next cause on the list.
Psychological
This is similar to heredity in that, while it can contribute to poor lifestyle choices, being depressed or suffering from another psychological condition will not, on its own, cause someone to gain weight.
That is not to discount the impact that such a condition can have on a person, but it is important to understand that these psychological factors contribute to weight gain, but they do not cause it.
All types of obesity pose serious health risks. No matter which level of obesity you may be at, it is vitally important to find ways to put a stop to it right now. Of course, it is not easy to lose weight, but doing so can mean that you will not face potentially life threatening health problems down the road.
Even those that already have weight related issues, such as high blood pressure, can turn those problems around by bringing their weight closer to their ideal.
The types of obesity are not as important as the steps that you can take to once again get control of your body and your health.