Obesity is a word that we don't like to hear or talk about, especially if it applies to us.
Obesity has many definitions, but it is a generally accepted term for a person whose weight is more than 20%more than expected for their age, gender, height, and build.
There are many factors that lead to obesity.
Overeating and improper eating are always the first to come to mind.
There are, however, other contributing factors:

• Genetics: Some people are genetically prone to weight-gain.
  
• Environment: Many people face sedentary work conditions, lack of support from family and friends, and poor diet.
  
• Inactivity: A large contributor to the obesity pandemic worldwide.
  

You know what obesity is and some of the contributing factors but, the question remains.
"Why is obesity a problem?" Physical Health Reasons:

• Arthritis: Carrying extra weight causes wear and tear on the joints.
  
• Asthma: Obesity often causes breathing problems that can make it harder to keep up with the demands of daily activities.
  
• Sleep Apnea: (Condition where a person temporarily stops breathing during sleep).
  It not only interrupts sleep, sleep apnea leaves people feeling tired and affects their ability to concentrate and learn.
  It also leads to heart disease.
  
• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure causes the heart to pump harder and the arteries need to carry blood that is moving under greater pressure.
  
• High cholesterol: Abnormal blood lipid levels increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  
• Gall stones: Bile accumulations harden in the gallbladder forming gall stones.
  These are painful and often need surgery.
  
• Fatty Liver: Fat accumulated in the liver can cause inflammation, scarring, and permanent liver damage.
  
• Insulin resistance and diabetes: Insulin is less effective at getting the body's main source of energy, glucose into the cells.
  

Non-health reasons why obesity is a problem:

• Stigma: Obesity carries a stigma of lacking willpower and poor character.
  
• Larger furniture : Obese people often are unable to sit on a normal sized chair, neither is the chair able to hold the weight of some people.
  
• Health aides: For things such as getting up out of a chair or bed, putting on socks, and even personal hygiene.
  
• Medical costs: Are skyrocketing due to the illness and disability of many obese people.
  
• Coffins: Larger coffins to accommodate the extra width and weight.
  
• Scales: Need to hold more weight
• Towels: Larger towels to accommodate a larger body
• Larger vehicles: Are less fuel-efficient and fuel consumption increases with more weight in the car.
  
• Obese people are less likely to buckle up: Because the seat belts may not fit properly.
  
• Loss in labor-force participation: Due to increased health problems and the need for larger work spaces, and sturdier furniture.
  
• Jet Fuel: The extra poundage packed on by the average American in the last decade required airplanes to use an extra 350 million gallons of fuel, according to an analysis by researchers at Cornell University.
  

In summary, obesity is a problem for people's health, life-span, ability to work, and the economy.