Thinner isn't always better. A number of studies have (1) concluded that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases, compared to those whose who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually (2) protective. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. (3) Likewise, among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an (4) indicator of good health.

Of even greater (5) concern is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to delineate. It is often defined (6) in terms of body mass index, or BMI. BMI (7) equals body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, (8) in turn, can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.

While such numerical standards seem (9) straightforward, they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, (10) while others with a low BMI may be in poor (11) shape. For example, many collegiate and professional football players (12) qualify as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. By BMI, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is obese. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a (13) normal BMI.

Today we have a (14) tendency to stigmatize obesity. The overweight are sometimes (15) pictured in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes (16) associated with obesity include laziness, lack of will power, and lower prospects for success. Teachers, employers, and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. (17) Even very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.

Negative attitudes toward obesity, (18) grounded in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity (19) policies. My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Michelle Obama has launched a high-visibility campaign (20) against childhood obesity, even telling Dr. Oz that it represents our greatest national security threat.