There is not exact definition of obesity but an individual is considered obese if his/her body weight is in excess with a BMI of 30 and above. The normal body fat level for a male is between 25%-30% in women and 18%-23% in men. Women who have more than 30% body fat and men with more than 25% body fat are considered obese.

How common is obesity?

Obesity is a health condition that has affected millions and more are added in its list everyday. More than one third of the individuals in the western countries are obese with more than 25% being children. The number of obese people has doubled in the last decade.

Health risks associated with obesity

This health dilemma brings along with it a lot of health conditions, which weaken your over all health, immune system, digestive system and sometimes result in to death. The life expectancy of people with an BMI above 40 reduces by 20 years. Let us have a look at health conditions that are associated with obesity.

• Insulin resistance: As a matter of fact, insulin is vital for transporting sugar (glucose) into muscle cells. Obesity is responsible for diminishing the effectiveness of insulin in transporting glucose into cells. Studies show that fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells. Obesity can lock an individual in an insulin resistant state for a long time. When the production of blood insulin goes down, the level of sugar rises and this results in to type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis, hardening of arteries, is also associated with diabetes and obesity.

• High blood pressure (hypertension): Hypertension, a health condition where blood pressure rises, is associated with obesity. Most individuals, especially women, suffering from obesity are at an increased risk of high blood pressure.

• Heart attack: A recent study revealed that the risk of developing coronary artery disease increases with increase in weight, each kilogram of bodyweight increases the risk of death by coronary artery disease by 1 percent.

• Cancer: While this has not been concluded in scientific findings, obesity is linked with cancer of the colon in women and men, cancer of the rectum and prostate in men and cancer of the uterus in women. At times, obesity is also associated with breast cancer, particularly in women who have experienced menopause.

If you wish to stay away from obesity and the much dreaded health conditions caused by it, you should consider using an effective treatment for the same. The market today is flooded with slimming pills that aid in fast weight loss but only a few of them are effective.

Xenical

Orlistat, a treatment for obesity, is sold as Xenical on the market. It is different from other slimming pills as it works by blocking the absorption of fat from the diet that you consume. More than one-third of fat is stopped from being absorbed by the body and this fat is then flushed out of the body. Always consult a doctor before taking any type of obesity medication.