Obesity and overweight has emerged as a major global health hazard. It has been found that people who are generally overweight are prone to such health problems as diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart problems. Overweight and obesity is due to high calorie intake and low physical activity. The problem of overweight as a general health problem is found in affluent developed countries and amongst the affluent class in the developing countries. The problem of overweight and obesity strike the not so affluent and poorer sections in the richer countries. It is now well recognized that the changed affluent lifestyle is the major cause of obesity. The food that is consumed and the low physical activity are the major culprits.

There has been a major change in the food that is available and consumed as part of the urban life style. Processed food is fast replacing fresh food. The processed food is cheaper, easily available and easy to prepare. They suit the hectic urban life. The low-cost food, often called junk food, is low in nutritional value. They have a high sugar and fat content besides additives. The poorer section in the richer nations has to resort to eating this low-cost food. Therefore, obesity in the richer nations is an indicator of wealth with good nutrition and less physical activity as well as poverty with bad nutrition. In the case of poorer countries obesity is associated with wealth with good nutrition and less physical activity. Obesity can also be due to eating disorder.

With obesity becoming a major health issue, the weight loss market too has vastly expanded. There are a variety of weight loss products and formulas in the market. These could be confusing. You might like to get to know more about over weight and obesity problem. The information about these products and prescriptions are available in the Internet as well as in various publications. There are numerous books on the subject such as Low GI Diet , HCG Diet Guide and Lose Your Belly Fat.

Obesity cannot be addressed without changes in lifestyle. With people becoming more aware of health, there are shift of consumer preference to organic food. More people are aware of the effect of fast food on health. More nutritious food is entering the food habits of people once again.