In my personal opinion, obesity is found amongst richer families and/or countries.

Wikipedia says: Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse affect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy.

My question is that what is the difference between just being 'fat' to being termed (medically) 'obese'?

    

The difference is the BMI (Body Mass Index – measure of someone’s weight, factoring in their height). There are four basic ranges in BMI: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Anyone with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight. Individuals with a BMI 30 and over are obese.

I think that obesity is more common amongst poor people in industrialized nations. Here in the United States, obesity tends to be less prevalent amongst the more affluent groups, probably because they can afford better food. Also, richer people tend to be more educated and know what they need to do to maintain their weight. However, poorer persons may not have such information available to them.

Starbirdy gave you the answer to your question but I wanted to add my opinion about where obesity can be seen the most. From personal experience, I can say that it is definitely more prevalent among poor people. I hate to say it but it's true. Most poor people (at least the ones I grew up with) get food stamps so they go out and spend the stamps on unhealthy foods. As Veronica said, they don't have access to information that teaches them what they need to do to maintain their weight. If they do have access, they don't seem to know what to do with the information.

Obesity can occur to anyone but I think that low income people are affected more by obesity. Healthy Momma, every low income person don't receive food stamps. Many lower income people can't afford the healthier food options and will choose the fatty foods because of price.

Obesity can be found in third world countries too. I do not agree that obesity is more prevalent among richer families. This is because rich people have better means to healthier foods. Poor people live pay check to pay check, and when it is time to go grocery shopping with the money they have left over after paying all of the bills, most of the food they buy are cheap and rich in starches. Structural factors also play a role in perpetuating obesity in poor communities. I have noticed for instance that in most poor neighborhoods the produce is low quality, and there is a very small selection of fruits and vegetables. This narrows the options of the variety of foods for those shopping there.

It could be that low income people are affected more by obesity because many of the low cost foods tend to be high in carbohydrates, and that is all they can afford. I’m talking about cheap foods like macaroni, noodles, potatoes, breads---things like that.

You also need to determine what your body fat percentage is. Body fat percentage will tell you WHERE YOU ARE FAT! Abdominal fat is dangerous and has been implicated in such diseases as cancer. Consistently lift weights, do cardio and eat a healthy meal plan to burn fat (lose inches). Change your body composition (less fat, more muscle mass). This will allow you to lose weight and keep it off!