Updated: February 28, 2011
Did you know that being overweight can become a medical condition? The more weight a person gains, the more health risks increase. When a person experiences health problems related to his or her weight, it's a condition called obesity.
Obesity occurs from a variety of reasons like poor diet, excessive eating, lack of physical activity and some genetic factors. Heart disease, Type II Diabetes, certain types of cancer and sleep disorders are common diseases associated with obesity. A person with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or more is generally considered obese. A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight.
Many teens struggle with their body image, and in this country, there's a huge stigma among overweight people -- that either they're lazy, or just don't want to be healthy. However, this isn't always the case. Yet, being overweight or obese can put teens at risk for many of these health problems.
Do you know what they are? Get the facts below.
A CA town has stopped fast food restaurants from opening new franchises in an effort to help people eat healthier. Jessica Kumari reports.
Find out how increased portion sizes are leading to growing obesity rates. Jessica Kumari shows examples of portion sizes in the U.S.
Would calorie counts displayed on menus affect what you eat? Cast your vote here.












