Obesity is an excess proportion of total body fat. A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more above normal weight. Wrong food habits and an inactive lifestyle are to blame. Indians are genetically susceptible to weight accumulation, especially around the waist. Currently, almost 1 in 5 men and over 1 in 6 women are overweight. In some urban areas, the rates are as high as 40%.

Excess body fat puts you at a risk of ailments like heart attack, high blood pressure, slipped disk, diabetes, problems in pregnancy, stroke, paralysis, arthritis as well as cancer of breast, uterus and prostate.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. The most important research finding is that even a 10% weight loss gives all the health benefits. You need not attempt and aim for too much weight loss.