obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē 

: a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body

Obesity affects not just appearance, but disease processes as well.

—Malorye Allison

Synonyms

• adiposity
• chubbiness
• corpulence
• corpulency
• embonpoint
• fat
• fatness
• fattiness
• fleshiness
• grossness
• plumpness
• portliness
• pudginess
• pursiness
• rotundity
• weight

Examples of obesity in a Sentence

obesity has been linked to a number of health risks, such as heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast. —New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2024

In addition, widespread access to healthier food options that are cheaper and readily available, particularly among underserved poorer communities will help keep people healthy and mitigate obesity and ultimately a diagnosis of type II diabetes. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Miracle drug gone wrong At the height of its popularity in the 1990s, fen-phen was considered a miracle drug for its ability to reduce obesity. —Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 Dec. 2024

Cheeses that are high in fat can contribute to weight gain and obesity, the American Kennel Club warns. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obesité, borrowed from Latin obēsitāt-, obēsitās, from obēsus "fat, stout" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obese

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obesity

• anti-obesity

Medical Definition

obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē 

plural obesities

: a condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and that in an adult is typically indicated by a body mass index of 30 or greater