Obesity is a health problem as it is more serious than merely being fat. It is defined as having extra weight and fat. A person’s height and weight is used to determine the body mass index (BMI) as a measure. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is normal while a BMI of 25.0-29.9 is overweight. An individual is obese when the BMI is greater than 30.0 and is extremely obese when the BMI is more than 40.0.
There are genetic and hormonal factors responsible for obesity. Nonetheless high food consumption and low body activity are also significant factors. Our body needs food to sustain its functions. When the food consumption exceeds the amount required, it is laid down as fat. An inactive approach to life further contributes to maintaining high stores of fat.
There are more factors behind obesity than unhealthy eating habits and immobility. Certain medical problems and drugs may cause an individual to gain excessive weight. Shortage of sleep and smoking cessation contribute to weight gain. Pregnancy weight that remains long after having a baby is another factor for women. Age plays a big part as it becomes harder to lose weight the older we get. Additionally, there seem to be some inherited factors as obesity has a tendency to run in families.
Obesity increases the risk of other diseases like diabetes, heart problems, metabolic syndrome, stroke, cancer, depression, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis and skin problems. Other health concerns that can appear are sexual issues, social isolation, physical pain, disability and mental problems. Additional weight damages leg joints and limits the individual’s movements and social life.
The best paths to treat obesity is to work with a team of nutritionists, dietitians and fitness trainers to prepare plans for balanced meals and meal portions and increase caloric consumption through exercise. An obese individual can start to see benefits even with a modest weight loss of ten pounds. These changes require lifetime commitment, discipline and endurance.
Obese people that can’t shed weight through life changes can review alternative treatments with their doctor. There is weightloss medicine available and weight reduction surgery. But none of these treatments guarantees longterm results and all drugs and surgeries have side-effects and risks connected with them.
Surgery is often suggested for extremely obese individuals with BMI over 40.0. Procedures include gastric bypass surgery, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, gastric sleeve and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. The latter two decrease the volume of the stomach. Gastric bypass surgery is the most common operation where a pouch is made above the stomach and connected with the small intestine so that food and liquids bypass the stomach. Laparoscopic surgery restricts the expansion of the stomach using an elastic band that separates the stomach in two parts.
Obesity is an illness of our time but there are ways to manage it. Talk to your doctor to find the best approach for your present position.
Tommy John is an established article author on a variety of expert topics including plastic surgery and weightloss surgery in UK.
