Today, obesity—the state of being very overweight—is a problem that gets worse each year, particularly as many people spend less time exercising and more time on the couch or sitting at a computer. The health risks caused by excess weight and obesity are numerous and can be deadly. While we're learning more and more about the harmful consequences of excess weight, many people still have a hard time slimming down. Real, healthy weight loss can seem like a mystery. Explore the causes of the weight epidemic and the health risks that stem from excess weight. Discover the part that physical fitness plays in today's obesity crisis. Learn how fitness—not just slimness—should be the goal of those trying to lose weight. Make physical activity a part of your life!