# obesity

/əˈbisəti/ (US) · /əʊbˈiːsətˌi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obesity
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the condition of being very overweight in a way that is not healthy. It usually means having too much body fat for your height.

For teachers: a medical condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. Often defined clinically by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

## Examples

- Doctors are worried about the rise of childhood obesity.
- Public health campaigns often focus on diet and exercise to help reduce the rates of obesity in the community.
- While genetic factors play a significant role in individual cases, the global rise in obesity is largely attributed to sedentary lifestyles and the high availability of processed foods.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable in its general medical sense; occasionally used as a countable noun in clinical literature when referring to different types or classifications of the condition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.