Obesity is a Western Wold Epidemic:

There is no doubt that obesity is a major affliction of many industrial societies. However, its great prevalence is not in the least comforting to those who are obese.  Obesity is defined as being 20 pounds or more above ideal weight for height, build and gender.  Obesity is more than unattractive, it is associated with high mortality rates, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease – in fact a whole host of diseases.

What causes obesity?

The main cause of obesity is overeating – consuming more calories than the body can burn.  Empty calories such as sweets, biscuits, ice cream, soft drinks and breakfast cereals, are some of the main culprits.  Obesity can begin in infancy when mothers substitute formula feeds and sweetened cereals for breast milk. Breast fed babies are rarely overweight.   Another frequent contributor to weight gain is the birth control pill.  Then there are food allergies, which can cause water retention and weight gain. Glandular malfunctions, emotion tension, boredom, habit - all play their role in obesity.

It is also very possible that malnutrition is the main cause of obesity. When there is inadequate intake of all essential nutrients, fat is not readily or efficiently burned. Fat is burned only if sufficient energy is produced, and energy production depends upon almost every known nutrient.  The B vitamins are important for energy production.  Fat is burned more slowly if pantothenic acid and protein are not supplied in adequate quantities. Proteins are needed for the proper functioning of many energy producing enzymes. But protein itself cannot be effectively used without many other nutrients including choline and vitamin B6.

Although obesity is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, many obese people are not fit when they are thin; they simply function better when they are heavy. When they lose weight they feel tired, depressed and irritable. Others with emotional problems eat compulsively to compensate for stress, fear, lack of affection or a deprived childhood, and they usually start dieting because of a guilt complex or self-hatred.  So for such people it makes sense not to go on a drastic reducing diet: they would do better to go on a natural, wholesome diet, adequately supplemented, so that their metabolism can reach optimum function.

But in general, calories and exercise are the essential considerations in losing weight. When the number of calories expended during the day exceeds the amount consumed, the body oxidises its supplies of fat to produce energy, and there by a reduction of body weight results.  Simplicity itself.  In order to lose weight safely a person must set up a sensible long-range diet plan that includes all the essential nutrients and minerals.