The latest statistics are in, and about one third (33.8%) of United States’ adults are categorized as obese, and now more than 17% (12.5 million) American children are joining that statistic.

But the word “obese” gets thrown around more often than it gets defined, so we thought we would clarify some of the specifics of obesity.

How Do You Know If You Are Obese?

The Center for Disease Control categorizes a BMI (or body mass index) of 30 or more as obese. Your BMI is calculated by factoring in your height, weight, and gender.

Although a BMI score is helpful to find out how much mass you’re carrying that isn’t just big bones, it is not a perfect system. For example, muscle weighs more than fat and many bodybuilders have so much muscle that their BMI falls under the “obese” category.

However, if you know that you are not a body builder and you don’t see rippling muscles under your T-shirt, you should probably be concerned if you have a high BMI.

What Happens in Obesity?

Being obese is not the same as being a few pounds overweight; obesity can cause health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart disease.

Not only can obesity make finding clothes that fit harder, but even simple things like driving, walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries can become uncomfortable or even painful.

People who suffer from obesity are also more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as depression or anxiety disorder.

And, surprisingly enough, most obese people also suffer from an eating disorder, meaning that they have a negative relationship with food.

Whether that means that they turn to food for comfort, or that they resent food because it makes them fat, a lot of people who are obese find that they need counseling to resolve their relationship with the food that fuels us.

How Do I Resolve/Prevent Obesity?

Despite popular opinion, you don’t have to eat for two to become obese. In fact, the average American over age 25 only takes in about 150 extra calories a day which can result in 20 pounds in thirty years.

Because eating only slightly more calories you need can add up to a substantial amount of fat, it is important that you watch your calorie intake and expenditure carefully.

Even if your waistline is getting larger, you’ll find that your appetite will stay the same, if not get larger as well. To counteract this, you must find out exactly how many calories your body and lifestyle needs and then stick to an eating regimen that corresponds.

Although this sounds like it is too much work, it can be made easier. For instance, by making exercise a priority and choosing foods like fruits and vegetables that are high in volume and fiber but low in calories.

You can also add weight loss supplements to your routine. These will help you burn extra calories, enhance your workout, or suppress your appetite.

Bottom line is that obesity is a completely preventable and totally curable disease that can not only limit the joy that you get out of life, but it can also cut that life off too early. Let’s eradicate obesity.