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The most common cause of obesity is genetic: the tendency to retain and store fat is more pronounced in some people. Lifestyle also has an impact; for example, unhealthy eating habits coupled with the lack of physical activity can result in obesity. Medical conditions such as depression also make people eat more than they would otherwise do.

Obesity causes a variety of problems.

- There is physical deformity of the legs due to excess weight.

- Wear and tear of the weight bearing joints of the body can cause early onset of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. If younger children are obese the un-fused long bones are prone to lesser circulation and delayed bone formation.

- Asthma and sleep apnoea are common among overweight people.

- The heart needs to pump harder making obese persons prone to high blood pressure.

- Elevated levels of blood sugar make them prone to diabetes.

- Fat deposits in the liver causes inflammation of the liver cells.

- In obese women, the testosterone levels can be high, leading to ovarian disease, Moreover, ovulation is likely to be delayed and later on in life, problems of infertility can occur. - Finally, obese people get easily depressed due to low self-esteem.

Slow and steady weight reduction is a practical way of addressing the problem rather than going on a crash diet. Eating a balanced and wholesome diet is the key, instead of starving or depriving oneself of food.

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