Obesity is simply defined as excess body fat, but these days it's not that simple with obesity in the United States. Childhood obesity has more than doubled among children over the past 30 years. According to the Center of Disease Control And Prevention (page 1), the percentage of children ages 6 to 11 in the United States who were obese increased from 7 percent in 1980 to nearly 18 percent in 2012. Over the years, things like electronics, media, television and more have had a negative impact on obesity. Organizations and activities have been set up to help combat obesity. Women go through what is called menopause throughout their lives, which causes them to gain weight. Basically, during this period, women's metabolic rates decrease significantly. Women have a harder time losing weight than men because their metabolism is very high. According to Web MD Clinic (page 1), men need more calories to maintain their weight. It would take a healthy diet and plenty of exercise for a woman to lose as much weight as when a man simply gives up junk food. In some cases it is more difficult for men than women, but very rarely. There are many factors that explain why some people are obese. It could be an illness. Most people don't even think about it when they see an obese person. Many diseases affect obesity, such as hormonal problems, hypothyroidism, depression, and some rare brain diseases. You probably can't control these factors, but they can help you. Depression has a significant impact on obesity and is now very common. Medication will help with depression, but not your weight. In some cases, certain medications can even cause weight gain. If a disease is affecting your weight, the best thing you can do is...... middle of paper ......ings that are currently happening to obese people. Many people sometimes eat based on their emotions. It might be sad, depressed, or even bored. People who begin treatment at a young age are more likely to be successful in resolving their problems rather than starting treatment at an older age. According to the study observed by the WebMD clinic, approximately 30% of people who seek treatment for weight problems have difficulty eating excessively. People who have difficulty managing their weight may face more emotional and psychological problems. Among all these problems and factors of obesity, these can be treated and prevented. Having a healthy lifestyle will make it easier to manage your weight. Eating and physical activity behaviors are influenced by schools, the media and family (ect.). School also plays a role in this. They provide advice and education on healthy living.