Obesity indicates a body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. A person’s body mass index (BMI) is considered the most accurate measurement of body fat for children and adults. Being overweight and obese are major risk factors for many chronic diseases.

  • Myth: Genetic makeup will not allow an individual to be lean and fit
    Fact: Obesity tends to run in families. A genetic cause is indicated; though it must be remembered that family members share not only genes but also diet and lifestyle habits. Individuals cannot change their genes but they can change what they eat and how active they are. Even individuals who are genetically predisposed to obesity need not become obese, they can manage to lose weight and keep it off.
  • Myth: Ideal weight, means healthy
    Fact: It is more important to have body fat that is normal/healthy rather than just an ideal weight.
  • Myth: Health risks are caused only by obesity.
    Fact: Obesity has been shown to be associated with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke. However, research has shown that other factors including genetics and lifestyle factors are also associated risk factors for the same. Increased physical activity can dramatically reduce risk without weight loss.
  • Myth: Muscle weighs more than fat
    Fact: Weight for weight fat and muscle weigh the same. The difference is that fat is bulkier and lumpy while muscle is denser making it much nicer to look at.
  • Myth: Spot exercising helps to reduce fat
    Fact: It is not possible to train a specific muscle group to spot reduce the fat surrounding it. Burning fat requires cardiovascular exercise and a proper nutrition plan.
  • Myth: Body fat is bad for you.
    Fact: Body fat is required for the organs to function properly, for strong bones, good cognitive ability, and reducing the risk for a heart attack. Body fat itself is not bad. The type of fat and where the fat is deposited is important.
  • Myth: Obesity is caused from uncontrolled eating or an eating disorder.
    Fact: It has been shown that less than one-third of obese individuals engage in binge eating. More than the quantity of food consumed lack of exercise, genetics, endocrinal problems, medications, lifestyle and metabolism determine an individual’s weight.
  • Myth: Obesity is a health crisis experienced only by adults.
    Fact: It has been shown that obesity can develop in childhood and can continue into adulthood. Studies show that after 6 years of age, the probability of obesity in adulthood exceeded 50 percent for obese children, as compared with about 10 percent for non obese children.
  • Myth: Skipping a meal per day can help lose weight and improve health.
    Fact: Eating three meals a day can actually prevent obesity. Skipping meals slows down metabolism as the body tries to reserve its energy stores for daily function; it increases the likelihood of overeating or binge eating later in the day. Losing weight fast is not healthy for the body. Unhealthy dieting increases the risk of developing an eating disorder.
  • Myth: Weight gain in women over time is healthy and part of a natural aging process.
    Fact: Weight gain of more than 20 pounds is not a normal part of the maturation process. It may actually increase a woman’s risk of an obesity-related disease.