Recently, obesity has become an epidemic in many parts of the world. This disease has accelerated over the last thirty to fifty years and its effects on health are devastating. Obesity is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and countless other health problems. Obesity is also the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Currently, about one in three Americans is obese. More than ever, the prevention of obesity in the health field is a major concern. However, many cases of obese children are linked to parents or relatives who are themselves overweight or obese. In this context, obesity is a trend that must be stopped before it continues to get worse. Since there is no definitive weight limit to determine whether a person is obese or not, medical specialists use various techniques to diagnose overweight and obesity. One method is to measure an individual's body mass index, or BMI. BMI compares a person's height to their weight. The BMI of an average weight person is between 18.5 and 24.9, and obesity is considered to be 30 or more. There are problems with this report, however, in that because muscle weighs more than fat, building muscle can skew a person's body mass index. Additionally, BMI measurement is only used for people aged twenty and over. Due to climatic rates of childhood obesity, the BMI test is somewhat ineffective in properly measuring a person's overall health (Stern, Kazaks 7). Another inexpensive test used is the skinfold measurement. In this test, calipers are used to pinch a layer of skin on specific parts of the body. The measurements are intended to reflect the amount of subcutaneous fat in these locations (Stern, Kazaks 14). At the extreme...... middle of paper ......e the mortality rate of patients undergoing these procedures is 1 in 200 cases (76). Even with the treatments and methods available for weight loss, success is almost never achieved. It’s a desire that is more easily said than realized. Obesity is a modern epidemic that must be addressed immediately to prevent rapidly exponential health problems in the future. To try to stop this trend, it is important to raise awareness not only of the effects of obesity on an individual, but also the effects of obesity on culture and families. On an individual basis, obesity causes many medical problems and is ultimately a dangerous health problem. However, it is important to notice the role obesity plays in the lives of others. Ultimately, obesity is a problem that needs to be addressed before it turns into an irreversible situation...