Obesity was a rare occurrence, a few years back. It is no more so. At one time people identified obesity as the cause for some underlying physical disorder or mental disability, so they sought to control excess weigh. But later obesity by and large came to be viewed and specified as being the symbol of good health or good personality. Remarks like "how healthy he looks!" "What a personality he has!" are not uncommon. Even in families where no one is obese, we find children who are either obese from childhood or become obese a few years later. Some still equate obesity with perfect health. If one losses a few pounds of excess weight people lament often about how good his health was some days ago and how weak he looked after losing weight. Nevertheless today many people are well informed through various health column, articles and news items published in periodicals & papers about why obesity is not desirable and why one should control excess weight. People now realise that obesity causes a variety of disorders, some of which could prove life threatening.
Obesity also affects youngsters who have reached marriageable age. They find difficulty in getting married as most suitors' dislike to get saddled with an obese partner especially girls. An overweight male is viewed to be a majestic personality who commands respect and even fear in some cases. However in case of females they are ridiculed, rejected in marriage alliances and even despised in some cases. This is one of the many reasons why women are more figure conscious than men, always seeking various devices and health programs to reduce their weight. While chubby children are loved by everyone obese (fat) children attract no one. Some of the children are by nature, very sensitive and such a treatment from their school mates & playmates disturb them mentally which affects their overall interest in all their activities. Many a time they withdraw into themselves or develop a dislike for sports or games and spend most of the time in isolation, eating or nibbling being their only diversion

Some mentally handicapped children are found obese. Though these children have normal weight older. There are two reasons for this, wrong eating habits & lack of exercise. Obese persons are referred to as "flesh mountains: or "road rollers". They are often ridiculed and even scorned at. Those who knew that obese people lack good health would, however, pity such persons. It is a common sight to see a stout person boarding in overcrowded bus puffing & panting, making his way through the crowd causing untold discomfort to the other passengers.