You may very well not be overweight! Society across the Western World is obsessed with being overweight. There is a marked prevalence for women to perceive themselves as being “fat”. (15% less men than women generally consider themselves as being overweight.) Fat tissue is a vital component of the human body.

It stores energy, provides thermal insulation and forms a protective layer against damage or impact. The media is constantly driving the “You are fat!!” message across our television screens, computer screens, newspapers and radio programs. Hardly a day goes by without a “lose weight/you are overweight/diet now” message being rammed down our throats. Dieting is a multi million dollar industry.

Obesity is defined as excessive body fat usually measured as 30 pounds or more over ideal body weight or a Body Mass Index of 30 or more. Another obesity definition is being 20% over your ideal body weight. These are inherently nebulous statements as each one of us is genetically different and our body structures vary. In excess of 20% of Americans exceed their ideal body weight and by this definition are obese! Prejudice, bias and peer pressure contribute to the misunderstanding of obesity.