Americans are not the only ones seeing their weight creep up on the scale -- obesity rates continue to rise across Europe as well. Europeans are now second only to Americans in the number of people who are overweight or obese.

Obese persons may benefit by starting a simple walking program to shed pounds and increase overall fitness. A walking routine burns calories and increases stamina, energy level and bone strength. Regular walking can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer or diabetes, according to the American Council on Exercise.

Obese people often look to bicycling as a way to lose weight. Bicycling will help shed excess pounds, but only if combined with healthy eating and other weight-loss techniques.

Protein, along with carbohydrates and fat, is a major macronutrient that helps your body function optimally. You need it to build strong tissues, support immunity and boost your metabolism.

The causes of obesity are varied and sometimes complex. Factors such as exposure to fast food ads, environment, socioeconomic status, genetic predisposition, overeating and unhealthy snacking influence weight.

Both low-carb and gluten-free diets get a lot of flak for being dieting "fads" -- but they're actually beneficial for many people.

Lipomas are noncancerous tumors that develop gradually in your body’s fat cells. Typically, people with these tumors only notice them after they grow for years. Doctors don’t know exactly why lipomas form.

According to Health Canada, cooking a meal in an aluminum pan can add about 1 to 2 mg aluminum to your food. The World Health Organization estimates that people can safely consume about 50 mg a day without harm, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not set an upper intake limit.

Exercise will help you lose weight and reduce body fat. However, you may find certain exercises challenging if you're obese. Obese people carry extra weight around their midsections -- this makes certain movements impossible or uncomfortable.

Approximately one-third of Americans are obese, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association." Many variables likely have contributed to the rise of obesity in the United States, including the availability of fast foods, a lack of exercise and even food additives.

Juice is typically sold in concentrate form to increase its shelf life and to reduce its shipping weight when sent from fruit-producing regions and countries to your local supermarket.

Fatigue and your weight are tightly intertwined. Being overweight means you have to work harder to do simple physical tasks, such as climbing the stairs and walking from the bus stop. A large body size may also interfere with nightly sleep as it increases the chances that you suffer from sleep apnea.