Obesity

In the world of Altairus, overweight and obesity are not as widespread as they are in the more developed nations of Earth. However, that is not to say that it doesn't exist in Altairus. This article aims to explain the reasons why obesity occurs in Altairus and which groups are more likely to be afflicted with it.

Prevalence

Even in the most developed nations of Altairus, overweight and obesity are nowhere near as prevalent as they are in Earth's developed nations. There may only be one or two obese Altairians in a nation spanning thousands of miles. This is for a few reasons:

• Most nations in Altairus have trade-based economies. This means that Altairians get far more exercise than most Earth dwellers in developed nations. Even if you are wealthy, you're not going to be sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day if you live in Altairus. You're going to be up and moving around, possibly lugging around heavy equipment, depending on your trade.
• Ultra-processed food really isn't a thing in Altairus. Certain magical techniques have allowed Altairians to make high-quality food very fast and on a limited budget without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. There is simply no need for ultra-processed food in Altairus.
• Since The War of the Wendigoes, there has been a strong incentive for the nations of Altairus to invest in citizens' health. Knowing that Altairus has no chance if its denizens were to become fat and sickly, these governments set health initiatives meant to encourage citizens to become their best selves.

Risk Factors

Despite the above factors, some Altairians still end up obese. Below are a few situations that can lead to obesity in Altairus:

• Royalty can end up obese if they do not have active hobbies. This is because, unlike tradesmen, they do not have day jobs and frequently rely on others to carry out strenuous tasks for them. If they do not watch their diet or suffer an injury that renders them unable to exercise, they can quickly become overweight or obese.
• Less commonly, an Altairian will have a medical condition that predisposes them to overweight or obesity. Prader-Willi Syndrome is known to exist in certain faery races, and even more common hormonal conditions can lead to a patient carrying a bit of extra weight, though not to a severe extent.
• Some faery races, such as gremlins, consider a full figure a sign of good health and virility. Altairians who are trying to reach this standard of appearance may intentionally force-feed themselves, eventually leading to obesity.

A Note about BMI and BRI

While faeries and magical beasts suffer the same ill effects from obesity as humans, it is important to note that the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI) may not be adequate tools to determine if an Altairian is obese or not.

Faery races of the same height can have vastly different weights depending on their body composition. An Altairian whose body is partially made of stone is obviously going to weigh a lot more than an Air elemental whose body consists mainly of vapor, though both may be at a healthy weight. In the same vein, many faery races tend to have fat-bellied frames which would be falsely dinged as overweight if one were using the BRI. For these races, abdominal fat does not carry the same cardiac risk as it does in humans, and it should not be treated the same.

The best way to determine if an Altairian's weight is problematic is if it is causing them additional health problems. If an Altairian is suffering from joint problems, diabetes, or other issues due to their weight, that is a sure sign that something needs to change.

Type

Physiological