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Obesity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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obesity

[ษ™สŠหˆbiหsษชti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

health

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat. It is typically measured using the body mass index (BMI), with a BMI of 30 or higher considered obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Synonyms

corpulence, heaviness, overweight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obesity

Obesity is a medical term used to describe excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. It is often used in clinical or formal discussions.

  • Obesity can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.
  • The doctor advised him to lose weight to avoid obesity.
overweight

Overweight describes someone who has more body weight than is considered healthy. It is commonly used in everyday conversation and less formal contexts.

  • Many children nowadays are overweight due to poor diet and lack of exercise.
  • I need to exercise more because I'm starting to feel a bit overweight.
heaviness

Heaviness refers to the quality of being heavy and can be used to describe weight in a more neutral way. It can apply to both objects and people but is less clinical than 'obesity'.

  • He felt a sense of heaviness after eating too much dessert.
  • The heaviness of the suitcase made it hard to lift.
corpulence

Corpulence is a somewhat old-fashioned or literary term for being very fat. It's often used in more formal or descriptive writing.

  • His corpulence made it difficult for him to move quickly.
  • The novel described the character's corpulence in great detail.

Examples of usage

  • The rise in obesity rates is a major public health concern.
  • Obesity is often linked to poor diet and lack of exercise.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'obesity' comes from the Latin 'obesitas', meaning 'stout' or 'fat'.
  • In the 16th century, the term was first used in English to describe someone who is excessively overweight.
  • Historical records show that obesity was seen differently in various cultures; in some societies, being larger was associated with wealth and prosperity.

Health and Medicine

  • Obesity increases the risk of several health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common tool used by doctors to define and classify obesity based on a person's weight in relation to their height.
  • Bariatric surgery is an option for individuals with severe obesity, involving surgical procedures to promote weight loss.

Psychology

  • Obesity can affect mental health, leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
  • Emotional eating is a common behavior where individuals turn to food for comfort during stressful times.
  • Social stigma can impact those who are obese, as societal perceptions may lead to discrimination or negative treatment.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and TV shows feature characters dealing with obesity, often illustrating the challenges and misconceptions they face.
  • Famous figures in entertainment have used their platforms to raise awareness about obesity and its health impacts.
  • The 'body positivity' movement seeks to change the narrative around size acceptance, promoting love for all body types, including those that are larger.

Nutrition

  • The rise in obesity rates globally has been linked to the increased consumption of processed foods high in sugar and fat.
  • Educational initiatives focus on promoting balanced diets and the importance of physical activity in preventing obesity.
  • Portion sizes have grown over the decades, contributing to overeating and increased calorie intake.

Origin of 'obesity'

The word 'obesity' comes from the Latin word 'obesitas', which means 'fatness' or 'fullness'. The concept of obesity has been present throughout history, with references to the condition found in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman texts. In modern times, obesity has become a global epidemic, with increasing rates due to changes in diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

See also: obesogenic.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,215, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.