Obesity is simply defined as having too much body fat. The American Heart Association observes that 60-70% of Americans are overweight or obese, putting these persons at an increased risk for health problems, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes and even some forms of cancer. The principle behind the American obesity epidemic is often quite simple; Americans are consuming more calories than they are burning. This is most often the case, excluding some glandular exceptions. When calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are consumed in excess, blood cholesterol levels often become raised. Too much excess fat, especially around the mid or abdominal region of the body, places one at an increased risk for health problems, and obesity alone increases the risk of heart disease. Maintaining a healthy body weight benefits the entire body by circulating blood more effectively and managing fluid levels more easily. Shedding even a few pounds can provide significant cardiovascular benefit, making every pound lost a positive step toward healthier living.