A complex illness characterized by having too much body fat is obesity. Obesity is more than simply a visual issue. It’s a medical condition that raises the risk of numerous illnesses and other health issues. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, and some types of cancer can be among them.
There are numerous causes for why some people struggle to lose weight. Obesity frequently comes from a combination of dietary, physiological, and environmental factors along with exercise, physical activity, and lifestyle choices.
The good news is that even a small amount of weight loss can help or even stop the health issues linked to obesity. You can lose weight by changing your behaviour, increasing your physical activity, and eating healthier. Other choices for managing obesity include prescription medications and weight-loss techniques.
Symptoms
The BMI, or body mass index, is frequently used to identify obesity. For the BMI formula, multiply the weight in pounds by 703, then divide the result by the height in inches. or multiply the weight in kilogrammes by the square of the height in metres. BMI can be calculated using a number of online calculators.
The BMI offers a reliable assessment of body fat for the majority of people. BMI does not, however, directly assess body fat. Even though they don’t have excess body fat, certain people, such as strong athletes, may have a BMI that falls into the obese group.
To aid in making treatment decisions, many medical practitioners also take measurements around the waist. The waist circumference is the name of this measurement. Men with a waist circumference of more than 40 inches (102 centimetres) are more likely to experience weight-related health issues. Women with a waist measurement over 35 inches (89 centimetres) tend to have them more frequently. Another statistic that can be used to monitor progress in a weight loss programme is the body fat percentage.
Causes
Obesity develops when a person consumes more calories than they expend via normal daily activity and exercise, despite the fact that genetic, behavioural, metabolic, and hormonal factors all play a role in body weight. These extra calories are converted by your body into fat.
The majority of Americans consume too many calories daily, often from fast food and high-calorie beverages. Obese individuals may consume more calories before feeling satisfied, experience hunger sooner, or consume more food in response to stress or anxiety.
Now because many jobs in Western nations are far less physically demanding, people there don’t tend to burn as many calories while working. Thanks to conveniences like remote controls, escalators, internet shopping, drive-through restaurants, and banking, even ordinary tasks require less calories.
Complications
Obese individuals are more likely to experience a number of potentially serious health issues, such as:
Strokes and heart conditions. You are more likely to be obese if you have high blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, both of which increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Diabetes type 2. The body’s ability to use insulin to regulate blood sugar levels can be impacted by obesity. Diabetes and insulin resistance are become more likely as a result.
Certain cancers. Cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrial, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, oesophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, and prostate are among the cancers that obesity may make more likely.
Digestive difficulties. Heartburn, gallbladder disorders, and liver issues are all made more likely by obesity.
Apneic sleep. Obesity increases the risk of sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition when breathing regularly stops and starts while you sleep.
Osteoarthritis. Weight-bearing joints are under more stress as a result of obesity. Additionally, it encourages inflammation, which causes pain, swelling, and a warm sensation throughout the body. These elements might result in issues like osteoarthritis.
Fat in the liver. Fatty liver disease, a condition brought on by an abnormal buildup of fat in the liver, is made more likely by obesity. This occasionally causes severe liver damage known as liver cirrhosis.
Prevention
It is simpler to prevent obesity than to treat it after it has set in. When your body has reached a new, high “set point,” it will take that into account as the new weight you should be starting from. Despite your aspirations to lose weight, your body attempts to control your hunger signals and energy expenditure in order to maintain the same body mass.
You might want to act sooner rather than later to intervene if you’ve detected a pattern of recent weight gain in yourself or your child, or if you have a family history of obesity. You may prevent future obesity and weight loss issues by taking an honest look at your behaviours and making realistic changes now.
For instance:
Make a modest giving up. Have you developed a daily snacking habit or a “pick-me-up,” such as a calorie-dense sweet drink? Think about replacing it. Up to 10 extra pounds might be gained in a year with just 150 extra calories per day. That is equivalent to two double-stuffed Oreo cookies or a snack-size bag of potato chips.
Include a quick activity. Instead, think about what you could do to burn an additional 150 calories every day. Take the dog for a 35-minute brisk walk, for instance, or spend 25 minutes hiking or using an elliptical machine.
Intentionally shop. Maintain a healthy food supply in your home and reserve desserts and other pleasures for special occasions when you go out. In contrast to manufactured snacks and treats, which cause your blood sugar to rise and fall, whole foods are richer in fibre and lower on the glycemic index.
Promote general well-being. Reduce your screen time and take a stroll outside instead. To keep your hormone levels in line, control your stress and make an effort to get enough sleep. Place more emphasis on wholesome activities and beneficial improvements than on how your actions effect your weight.
