Obesity

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes Obesity is characterised by excess body fat in relation to lean body mass tissue such as muscle Obesity may impair health

Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to measure obesity but can wrongly classify muscular individuals as obese BMI = body mass (kg) / height (m)^2 A BMI greater than 30 is used to indicate obesity

Obesity is linked to high fat diets and a decrease in physical activity The energy intake in the diet should limit fats and free sugars as fats have a high calorific value per gram and free sugars require no metabolic energy to be expended in their digestion

Exercise increases energy expenditure and perseveres lean tissue Exercise can help to reduce the risk factors for CVD by: -Keeping weight under control -Minimising stress -Reducing hypertension -Improving blood lipid profiles