9781422288450

greater risk of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes than the person whose fatty-tissue deposits are concentrated in the buttocks and thighs. Based on such patterns, researchers have further defined BMI guidelines and types of obesity. Doctors recommend weight ranges considered ideal for certain heights and then combine these ideal weights with factors like BMI and anatomical distribution of fat to better assess a patient’s risk of devel- oping obesity-related illnesses. Once a person has had his or her excess weight evaluated by a health pro- fessional, he or she can begin exploring options for addressing the weight issue. What will happen if people don’t act to address their weight issues? What exactly is at stake? Consider the words of humorist Robert Orben: “Quit worrying about your health. It’ll go away.” Although he meant the statement to be funny, this writer and editor penned perhaps no truer

Weighing In: Defining the Problem / 21