By Julie Reade
Obesity is a physical ailment that affects many Americans. It is something that can sneak up on someone. One day they may be just a few pounds overweight. And before they know it, they don't fit in any of their clothes. Theories about obesity are as wide and varied as the people it effects.

Some lay people and experts alike believe obesity is the result of waning willpower. People believe that if the overweight person made better food choices, they wouldn't have the weight issues. This theory is just perpetuated by television shows that show the extreme. It's usually someone who eats four pizzas and three cheeseburgers for one meal. Rather than gaining understanding for the obese, this adds fuel to the fire.

Another suggestion of why people become obese is genetics. And when you see a family picture of parents, grandparents and grandchildren who are all overweight, it gives good evidence to this theory. Obese people appreciate this theory because it gives them less responsibility for their current condition.

A third suggestion about the cause of obesity is food cost. Anyone who grocery shops can tell you that eating healthy is more expensive than eating junk food. Someone who is on a limited food budget does not always have the option of choosing the healthier version of a particular food. So they buy what they can afford. And the cycle continues.

In general, our diets have shifted away from healthy eating towards convenient eating. We value price and how fast something is over how it will affect our bodies. Children are particularly prone to this, as so much advertising is directed at them. If parents want to guard against the obesity epidemic in their children, they need to slow down the food and encourage good choices.

Regardless of the reason a person is overweight, the solutions are generally the same. Proper eating and moderate exercise is the formula for losing weight. To be successful, making new habits is the name of the game. Experts agree that we all need to take 10,000 steps each day. Get a pedometer and watch your steps add up. Deny or reward yourself, depending on the number of steps you take each day. Make it a habit to always park at the end of the parking lot. Always use the stairs. Make a decision about how late you will eat each night and don't eat after that time. If you are consistent, you will get consistent results.