The term "OVER WEIGHT" applies to persons whose weight is 10% or more above the standard weight and the term "OBESITY" refers to an excess of 20% or more over the desirable body weight. Obesity can be defined as a condition in which excessive accumulation of fat disposition occurs in the body.

Main causes of Obesity: - Obesity can occur at any age. In women obesity commonly begins at puberty, during pregnancy, after removal of uterus or at the menopause as Imbalance of Hormones occurs during those periods. Hereditary Factor is also a major cause of one being obese as there is high correlation between obesity in parents and their children if both parents are of normal weight, only 10% of children will be obese. If one parent is obese the incidence in children is 50% and it climbs to 80% if both parents are obese. Eating habits of people are variable. Some eat large meals a day while others eat frequently 5 or 6 times a day in both these groups excessive food intake is the cause of obesity, but the essential basic cause of obesity is over intake of calories in excess of metabolic requirements. As different foods have different calorific values, obesity does not depend upon the quantity of food eaten but its Calorie Equivalent. Intake of certain Medicines decreases metabolic rates and hence also results in overweight.

Health disorders due to obesity:  When obesity is severe one increases the risk of developing many diseases like Hyper-Tension, Diabetics, Cancer, Paralysis, Hernia etc.., which is likely to impair the health and life expectancy is greatly reduced. Therefore obesity is a disorder that should be taken seriously.