Is obesity a disease?
Obesity is a condition in which excess body fats gather together to the extent that it may hurt health. It is one of the most common diseases in this growing world, which causes many non-communicable diseases, significant disability, and premature death. Weight loss strategies like diet plans, physical activity, and lifestyle modification can help in reducing it. Medical analysis is reserved for obese or overweight patients who have obesity-related risk factors or diseases. Obesity is calculated by taking a ratio of height to weight called body mass index (BMI), which helps in getting a measure of body fat.
Obesity is also stated as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in tissues, to the extent that health is harmed. The number of excess fats in absolute terms, and their distribution in the body – either around the waist and trunk (abdominal, central, or android obesity) or peripherally around the body (gynoid obesity) – have important health significance.
In general, obesity is identified with a higher risk of disability or premature death due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease as well as gallbladder disease, certain cancers (endometrial, breast, prostate, colon) and non-fatal conditions including gout, respiratory ailments, gastroesophageal reflux disease, osteoarthritis, and infertility. Sometimes due to Obesity, a person suffers from psychosocial health; this is because of prejudice against fatness.
The body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used framework for analyzing various degrees of pressure. It is calculated from the weight of an individual in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2).
Health problems due to overweight and obesity:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and strokes
- Certain types of cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
- Fatty liver disease
- Gallbladder disease and gallstones
- kidney disease
- Pregnancy problems, such as high blood sugar during pregnancy, high blood pressure, and increased risk for cesarean delivery (C-section)
Not everyone who is overweight has these problems, but the risk increases if there is a family history of any of those conditions.
Cause of Obesity:
Many factors can lead to obesity or weight gain. Significant factors include a lack of protein diet, physical workout, and elements in a person’s environment. Obesity may be caused due to some hormonal imbalance, such as underactive thyroid, Cushing syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sometimes medicines may also cause weight gain, including some corticosteroids, antidepressants, and seizure medicines.
How to diagnose obesity?
- Taking your health history. Your doctor may review your weight history, weight-loss efforts, physical activity and exercise habits, eating patterns and appetite control, what other conditions you’ve had, medications, stress levels, and other issues about your health. Your doctor may also review your family’s health history to see if you may be predisposed to certain conditions.
- A general physical exam. This includes measuring your height; checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; listening to your heart and lungs; and examining your abdomen.
- Calculating your BMI. Your doctor will check your body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity. Numbers higher than 30 increase health risks even more. Your BMI should be checked at least once a year because it can help determine your overall health risks and what treatments may be appropriate.
- Measuring your waist circumference.
Fat stored around the waist, sometimes called visceral fat or abdominal fat, may further increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Women with a waist measurement (circumference) of more than 35 inches (89 centimeters) and men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches (102 centimeters) may have more health risks than do people with smaller waist measurements. Like the BMI measurement, waist circumference should be checked at least once a year.
- Checking for other health problems.
It is important to check for other possible health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, underactive thyroid, liver problems, and diabetes.
Can weight loss help:
How to reduce obesity?
The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. This improves overall health and lowers the risk of developing complications related to obesity.
You need to work with a team of health professionals — including a doctor, a dietitian, a counselor, and a physical trainer to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.
All weight-loss programs require changes in your eating habits and increased physical activity. The treatment methods that are right for you depend on your obesity severity, your overall health, and your willingness to participate in your weight-loss plan.
Diet, exercise, and a better lifestyle are the best ways that can help in preventing obesity, but it is not enough to cure it. For obesity control, it’s recommended to consider scientifically tested treatments, including physical activity, and a high biological value Protein-calorie deficit diet.
Conclusion:
To live a healthy life a person should include the below items in his/her routine:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
- Exercise, even moderately, for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Cut down the consumption of fatty and sugary foods
- Use vegetable-based oils rather than animal-based fats.
- Balanced proportion of nutrients in the diet
- A good quality protein of 0.8-1g per kg ideal body weight.
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