Obesity

Definition

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat to an extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and increased health problems.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /oʊˈbiːsɪti/
• Respelling: oh-BEE-si-tee (with "oh" as in "go," "BEE" as in "bee," "si" as in "sit," and "tee" as in "tea")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /əʊˈbiːsɪti/
• Respelling: oh-BEE-si-tee (similar to American English, with "oh" as in "no," "BEE" as in "bee," "si" as in "sit," and "tee" as in "tea")

In both dialects, "obesity" places the primary stress on the second syllable, "BEE." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "oh-BEE-si-tee."

Etymology

The term "obesity" is derived from the Latin word "obesitas", which means "fatness" or "stoutness". It can be traced back to the Latin word "obesus", which means "having eaten until fat".

Derivatives

• Obese
• Overweight
• Adiposity
• Corpulence
• Body Mass Index (BMI)

Synonyms

• Corpulence
• Plumpness
• Chubbiness

Antonyms

• Thinness
• Underweight
• Slenderness

Usage

"Obesity" is frequently used in the context of health, medicine, and public health, referring to the excessive accumulation of fat that presents health risks.

• Obesity is considered a global epidemic, with increasing prevalence in both developed and developing nations.
• Childhood obesity has been linked to various health issues in adulthood.

Related Terms

• Metabolic syndrome
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Weight management
• Caloric intake

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Medical Condition: A disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems, often assessed by metrics like the Body Mass Index (BMI).‍
• Example: Due to the high rates of obesity, many countries have implemented public health campaigns to promote healthier eating and exercise.

• State of Being Overweight: The quality or condition of being excessively overweight or having an abnormally high ratio of body fat to lean body mass.‍
• Example: Sedentary lifestyles and high-calorie diets are significant contributors to obesity.‍