Obese means to be carrying more fat that is thought by doctors to be healthy. Generally, doctors have found that, if a person is carrying too much fat, then they are more likely to suffer from a shorter life and some diseases.

How do we get fat? For some people it is something that runs in the family, and they can't do much about it. For most people, however, it is about storing fat below the skin.

Skin does something more than hold the muscles in and protect us from disease. It also has a layer of fat. The fat has lots of uses: it is like a natural overcoat, providing insulation against the cold. Fat is also a store of energy. So we store any food we don’t need as fat. Then, if we are not able to get a meal, the body uses some of its fat to keep us going. It is a kind of natural battery pack.

But fat is a very concentrated form of energy, so we don’t need much of it. That is why it should also be a firm layer that hides the bones, but cannot be pinched up into folds called rucks.

It is important to be accurate about this. Read the book Weight and Height for more details.