Word: obesity (noun)

Associations

Obesity refers to a condition where a person has an excessive amount of body fat. It is often associated with health problems and is measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI).

• People with obesity may face health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
• The rise in obesity rates is a concern for public health, as it can lead to various medical complications.
• Many people struggle with obesity due to lifestyle choices, such as diet and lack of exercise.

A well-known synonym for obesity is "overweight." The main difference is that "overweight" refers to having more body weight than is considered healthy, which may include muscle mass, while "obesity" specifically relates to excess body fat.

Substitution

In place of "obesity," you can use:

• "overweight" (less severe, may include muscle)
• "corpulence" (more formal, less common)
• "fatness" (informal, can be seen as negative)

These alternatives can change the meaning slightly, with "overweight" being more general and "corpulence" sounding more formal.

Deconstruction

The word "obesity" comes from the Latin word "obesitas," which means "fatness." The root "ob-" means "over" or "excess," and "esis" refers to a condition or state. This helps us understand that obesity describes a state of having excessive body fat.

Inquiry

• How do you think obesity affects a person's daily life?
• Can you think of ways to promote a healthier lifestyle to prevent obesity?
• Have you seen any programs or campaigns aimed at reducing obesity in your community? How effective do you think they are?