Recently, obesity has become an epidemic in many parts of the world. The condition has accelerated over the past thirty to fifty years and its health effects are devastating. Obesity is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and countless other health problems. Obesity is also the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Currently, approximately one in three Americans is obese. Now more than ever, obesity prevention in healthcare is a primary concern. However, many cases of obese children are linked to overweight or obese parents or relatives. Given this situation, obesity is a trend that must be stopped before it continues to get worse. Since there is no definitive weight limit to determine whether a person is obese or not, medical specialists use a variety of techniques to diagnose overweight and obesity. One method is to measure an individual's body mass index, or BMI. BMI compares a person's height to their weight. The BMI of an average weight person is between 18.5 and 24.9, and obesity is considered to be 30 or higher. There are problems with this ratio, however, in that because muscle weighs more than fat, a muscular build can skew a person's BMI rating. Furthermore, the BMI measurement is only used for people aged twenty or older. Due to high rates of childhood obesity, the BMI test is somewhat ineffective in correctly measuring a person's overall health (Stern, Kazaks 7). Another inexpensive test used is skinfold measurement. In this test, forceps are used to pinch a layer of skin from specific parts around the body. The measurements aim to reflect the amount of subcutaneous fat in these locations (Stern, Kazaks 14). With extra......half of the paper......the mortality rate for patients undergoing these procedures is 1 in 200 cases (76). Even with available treatments and methods for losing weight, success is almost never achieved. It's a wish that's easier said than done. Obesity is a modern epidemic that must be addressed immediately to prevent rapidly exponential health problems in the future. In an effort to stop this trend, it is important to raise awareness of not only the effects of obesity on an individual, but also the effects of obesity on culture and families. On an individual basis, obesity is a driving force in numerous medical issues and ultimately represents a dangerous health problem. However, it is important to note the role obesity plays in the lives of others. Ultimately, obesity is a concern that must be addressed before it turns into an irreversible situation.