Obesity is the accumulation of fat in excess. It is more serious than being just a little overweight. Obesity can pose major health risks and can interfere with the day to day functioning of a person.

Obesity can be measured by measuring the Body Mass Index or BMI. If BMI is under 25, it is considered healthy and normal. BMI in the range of 25 to 30 is considered overweight and above 30 is considered obese. This usually mean the body weight is more than the normal healthy weight by at least 20% or higher. Another way to determine obesity is by measuring the abdominal fat or the waist.

Intake of fat in high quantities and low nutrition causes this condition. The lack of physical activity results in the buildup of fat. We end up consuming calories and cannot burn them. Age also slows down the metabolism of the body. This means the calories required to maintain the body weight is much less. So, the intake of food should also decrease relatively. If not, it starts getting accumulated. Women are more prone to putting on weight as they require lesser calories than men to maintain their body weight. Sedentary lifestyle, certain illnesses, hormonal changes, some kinds of medications, over eating, stress and depression are the reasons for obesity. Chances are it may be a genetic problem too.

The consequences of being obese are various. It causes problems in movements and restriction of some movements, problem in walking or running, pain in the back and knees, breathing difficulty, excessive sweating and strain on the heart. It increases the risk of suffering heart stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It boosts the chances of having diabetes. An obese body exerts strain on the heart, kidney, hips and knees. It not only affects the physical health, but also the mental health by lowering self-confidence and self esteem.

There are various pills and medications available for reducing weight. Many give false promises of miracle weight loss. People follow many kinds of diets to lose weight. There are surgical procedures like gastric bypass, gastric banding and liposuction for the treatment of the same. It is most safe to follow some simple home remedies which do not have any side effects. Some of the home remedies are:

1. Honey: Honey helps in mobilizing fat. It should be mixed in warm water and taken every morning regularly.
2. Cabbage: Include cabbage in your diet.
3. Carrot: Drink carrot juice on a regular basis.
4. Tomato: Eating of tomato in the morning is beneficial.
5. Lemon juice: Squeeze lemon juice in water and drink this regularly.
6. Green Tea: Consuming green tea is a very effective remedy. Drink this every day.
7. Ginger: Include ginger in your diet or have ginger tea.
8. Soups/Salads: Consume soups and salads.
9. Exercise: Burn the calories. Workout in the mornings before consuming anything.

Avoid food rich in fat and switch to low fat options like low fat milk. Eat plenty of fruits and salads in your diet. Eat boiled or grilled food instead of fried food. Exercise daily and drink loads of water. Go for walks and lead a stress free lifestyle. Do not skip breakfast or go on sudden starving diets. Eliminate refined food from your diet completely. Switch to brown bread instead of white. Practice yoga daily helps reduce excess fat and tones your body.

Read more Home Remedies for Obesity. Also know Home Remedies for Headache. Read useful Home Remedies for Sore Throat.

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