Food consumed:
The most common cause is by consuming more calories than the body expends. Eating foods high in fat is a huge reason why obesity is a problem today. Overeating, or binge eating, when feelings of stress occur has also caused obesity. Binge eating temporarily relieves negative feelings, but soon after binge eaters feel disgust, shame, and depression. Researchers have found that 30% of obese people are binge eaters.

Genes:
Obesity runs in families, if one or both of your parents are obese you are at a higher risk for being obese as well. Families also tend to share the same eating habits. You are not doomed to a life of obesity; however, you can resist Mother Nature if you practice healthy eating habits and exercises regularly.

Environmental:
In the Western worlds, foods that are high in fat are plentiful and the time we spend being couch-potatoes or sitting at our office desk leads to obesity. Food has become a reward and the center of business meetings as well.

Medicine:
The use of certain drugs including contraceptives, steroid hormones, diabetes drugs, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs are linked to weight gain. The use of these drugs is increasing.

Not only does obesity cause a negative self-image, but there are major health risks involved also involved.

Cardiovascular Health:
Obesity threatens the risk of heart disease including heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina and abnormal heart rhythm.

Type 2 Diabetes:
More than 80% of people with Type 2 Diabetes are obese or overweight. This form of diabetes results from the body not producing enough insulin, and since obesity modifies the body's ability to control blood sugar using insulin; there is a greater risk of developing diabetes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in reproductive-age women that are obese. The syndrome causes irregular menstrual cycles, multiple ovarian cysts and excessive hair growth, and infertility.

Now that you are familiar with the causes and risks of obesity there are ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle according to fitness expert Michael Torchia, who has shaped the bodies of Keith Urban, Kim Catrall, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Kevin Spacey, Joe Mantegna, and Sylvester Stallone. Torchia was an obese child, but turned his life around when he learned the importance of eating right and exercising. He eventually was considered the fittest teen in America as he earned the title of Mr. Teenage America when he was 19. Here are a few of Torchia's tips for staying healthy:

Go out and play!
Starting at an early age is important. "Meet friends for a hike; play volleyball or softball…anything that promotes fun and fitness. These are formative years and it's very important for teens to be fit and create healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime."

Increase physical activity
Torchia suggests turning everyday activities into physical activity. "WALK to the movies, if you're old enough to drive, park at the back of the lot and walk to the mall."

Eat right
They key to living a healthy lifestyle is eating healthy foods. "Don't over eat. Try eating high carbohydrate foods at breakfast and lunch and eat mostly protein and green vegetables for dinner. Avoid fried foods and eating late at night. Make ice cream and French-fries an occasional treat, not an every day occurrence."

Avoid fad diets
A common faux pas of many teens and young adults trying to lose the extra pounds is not eating at all. "This puts their body into a starvation mode, which, in turn, actually turns OFF the metabolism, making it hard to stay lean. What is needed is for teens to eat SMART and well balanced meals. Eat smaller meals, 4 or 5 times each day. This keeps the blood sugar levels even, making it easy to keep weight off."

Torchia is encouraging more teens to live a healthy lifestyle through his new program, Operation Fitness Teen Strength and Fitness Challenge, which teaches teens how to stay fit and healthy. The program will be free to teens at the Fit Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, February 16, 2008. Torchia hopes that the launch of his program will, "Inspire teens to work out and eat properly while using their imagination and integrating fitness into their daily routine."

The benefits to living a healthy life are tremendous. They include increased self-esteem, increased energy, higher levels of concentration, and a happier life! So the next time you drive past a McDonalds you might want to consider these facts and tips for a better life.

- Angela Filicicchia, Associate Editor