Info on Human Growth Hormone, HGH

Obesity, HGH Related

Obesity is defined as excess fat tissue. For adults and young people, obesity generally has been defined as a body weight that is 30% over the ideal body weight for your height. Body-mass index*, and other anthropometric measurements such as ratios of weight to height, waist and hip circumferences are other ways to define and measure body fat and body fat distribution.

Your body weight is tied into your body systems and their functioning. The more calories you overeat, the more fat that your body carries. This overeating and extra body fat produces more stress on your internal organs, your joints, and possibly your outlook on life. Obesity needs to be prevented or treated because of the number of lifestyle and medical problems it may cause you. You may have trouble walking, breathing, muscular or bone problems, skin problems, infertility, and more serious complaints, such as heart disease or diabetes.

In addition, obesity is a disease that may lower your self-esteem or make you feel depressed or anxious. In children and adolescents, peers may make fun of you or ignore you, which may lead you to withdraw at a time when being active and trying sports is a great way to become more fit. Obesity can also lead to discrimination in employment. Choosing healthy eating, exercise and body weight control may prevent and improve your feelings in social situations.

There are many known causes for obesity:

You may have a genetic problem. An estimated 80% of obesity cases include genetic traits that affect appetite, energy expenditures and your hormones and other organ systems in your body. Hormones are substances, made in organs called glands, which have an effect on different parts of the body. Currently the hormone leptin, a protein produced by the ob (obese) gene, is being studied by endocrinologists and others who see this hormone as a promising target in the fight against obesity. Many other genes and gene products also are being studied by researchers;
There are infrequent hormonal imbalances that contribute to being overweight, but usually not the main reason. These conditions include damage to the brain/brain dysfunction, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and Cushing's disease (which causes high levels of steroid hormones);
You may have a eating disorder or other behavior problem that causes you to eat too much;
Most often your weight may be linked with your environment - your socioeconomic status, your race, where you live, and your family size. You may have cultural reasons or other factors that affect the caloric density of the foods you eat, portion size or speed of eating. Because of sedentary jobs, lack of exercise, television watching and computer games, gaining weight has become more common. Aging itself appears to be a culprit, as older men and women tend to put on a few pounds a year. However, this is related to decrease in exercise and fitness.

You may feel that your weight is a very difficult problem to solve. Obesity is one disease, however, in which you must play an active part in solving the problem and becoming healthier.