When the weight gain of an individual is 20% greater than the ideal weight, it's called obesity.

This should be determined by comparing to individual height and size of body frame or the Metropolitan Height and Weight Tables, or as a BMI (body mass index) of 27 or greater. (A calculation including weight to height ratios with an assigned number as a result.) Additionally, obesity can be diagnosed when a tricep skin fold measurement exceeds 15 mm (3 /4 inch) in a man and 25mm (1 inch) in a woman.Currently, 1 in 3 adults living in the U.S. weighs 20% or more above their desirable weight. Approximately 58 million adults suffer from obesity. This increase is rising toward epidemic levels and has become an alarming factor with regards to health implications.Being overweight affects almost every body system in some way. Overweight increases the chances that an individual will develop or experience one or more of the following:
High blood pressure
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Elevated cholesterol
Coronary heart disease
Gallbladder disease
Endometrial cancer
Osteoarthritis
Stroke
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Colon cancer
Musculoskeletal problems
Metabolic problems
Breathing disorders - sleep apnea
Acute psychological distress
Probability of an early death Causes of obesity remains poorly understood and clearly undefined. There may be an inherited trend to become overweight with genes playing a possible role. More clearly understood is the relationship between caloric intake and calorie burning. In more simplistic terms, people gain weight when they consume more calories than their bodies burn.

How to manage your weight
Eat less (reduce caloric intake).
Increase the calories you burn - Exercise!
When exercising, make sure all exercises are rhythmic, repetitive, involving large muscles and motion, and challenging to the circulatory system.

Benefits of weight loss
Lower high blood pressure
Improve control of diabetes
Improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Improve breathing and related disorders (sleep apnea)
Reduce stress on joints
Reduce stress on joints If maintained, even small weight losses (as little as 5-10%) will improve your health and reduce the risk for some potentially serious diseases.