If you are gaining weight, it does not always mean that you are becoming obese. Children and young adults need nutrients in order to grow, so they gain weight as time goes on. However, if you consume more than you need and begin putting on extra weight, you may be on the road to obesity - combined with all kinds of health problems.

Here are some signs that tell you if you are at risk:

  • Children who have obese parents or grandparents are in greater danger of becoming obese than others.
  • If diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes or heart illnesses run in your family you might be at risk too.
  • Bowed legs at an early age can be a warning signal for obesity.
  • Depression and a lack of confidence have also been connected to obesity.
  • People who don't get enough exercise and sit around and do nothing all day long are definitely more at risk than others.



Regular exercise helps to control your weight.
Image: Steve Lambert via OpenClipArt.org ,
Public Domain CC0


Words

  • at risk = in danger
  • blood pressure = the force with which blood travels through your body
  • bowed = curved, not straight
  • combined = together
  • confidence = you believe in yourself and think that you can do something well
  • connected to = linked to
  • consume = here: eat
  • definitely = absolutely
  • disease = illness
  • exercise = physical activity that lets you stay healthy and makes you stronger
  • gain weight = to become heavier
  • lack = not enough
  • nutrient = chemical or food that gives you important things that you need to live and grow
  • obese = being overweight
  • putting on = gain, get more
  • run in = are in 
  • sign = warning signal
  • type 2 diabetes = a disease in which there is too much sugar in your blood