Obesity is a complex disorder containing an unhealthy quantity of weight in the body. Not only a cosmetic problem is obesity. It is a medical condition that raises the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and some tumors, as well as health complications.
What is Obesity?
Obesity means having excess body fat. Adults 35 and older with a BMI greater than 30 are obese. Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration. It is a chronic medical disease that can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases associated with obesity, such as heart disease, gallstones, and other chronic diseases. Obesity is serious because it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes and lower quality of life. Obesity is a risk factor for several cancers. Obesity is difficult to treat and has a high relapse rate. Within five years, most individuals who lose weight recover weight.
Causes
Eating more calories than you burn in daily activity and long-term exercise can lead to obesity. These excess calories, over time, contribute to weight gain.
Common specific causes of obesity include:
- genetics, which can affect the way your body processes food into energy and how fat is stored
- getting older, which can lead to less muscle mass and a slower metabolic rate, making it easier to gain weight
- not getting enough sleep, which can lead to hormonal changes that make you feel hungrier and crave certain high-calorie foods
- pregnancy, as weight gain during pregnancy, can be difficult to lose and can eventually lead to obesity
But it's not always just about eating and eliminating calories or having a sedentary lifestyle. While those are causes of obesity, some causes cannot be controlled. Certain health conditions can also lead to weight gain, which can lead to obesity. It includes:
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
a rare condition present at birth that causes excessive hunger.
Cushing's syndrome
a condition caused by having high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your system.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough important hormones
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) and other pain, causing conditions that can lead to reduced activity
Who is at risk?
A complex combination of factors can increase a person's risk of obesity.
Genetics:
Many individuals have genetics that makes losing weight impossible for them.
Environment and community:
Your environment at home, at school, and in your community can influence how and what you eat, and how active you are.
You may be at increased risk for obesity if:
- live in a neighborhood with limited healthy food options or with
- high-calorie food options, such as fast-food restaurants
- I have not yet learned to cook healthy meals
- don't think you can afford healthier food
- you don't have a good place to play, walk, or exercise in your neighborhood
Psychological and other factors:
Depression may lead to weight gain often, as some people can resort to emotional comfort food. The risk of weight gain can also be raised by such antidepressants.
Quitting smoking is always a good thing, but quitting smoking can also lead to weight gain. In some people, it can lead to weight gain. For that reason, it is important to focus on diet and exercise while you quit smoking, at least after the initial period of abstinence.
Medications can also increase the chance of weight gains, such as steroids or birth control pills.
Complications of Obesity:
Obesity has been linked to several health complications, some of which can be life-threatening if left untreated:
Diagnosis:
BMI is a rough estimate of a person's weight to their height.
Other more precise body fat and body fat distribution indicators include:
- skinfold thickness testing
- waist-to-hip comparisons
- screening tests, such as ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs
Your physician can even prescribe such scans to help diagnose health hazards associated with obesity. These may include:
- blood tests to check cholesterol and glucose levels
- liver function tests
- a diabetes screening test
- thyroid tests
- heart tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- a measurement of the fat around your waist is also a good indicator of your risk for obesity-related diseases
Treatment:
Too often, obesity leads to heavy dieting, hoping to reach "ideal body weight." A certain amount of weight loss can be achieved, but the weight loss usually comes back quickly. Within five years, most individuals who lose weight regain weight. More effective and lasting treatment for obesity must be found.
We need to learn more about the causes of obesity, and then we need to change the way we treat it. When obesity is accepted as a chronic disease, it will be treated like other chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Obesity treatment cannot be a short-term "solution", but must be an ongoing, lifelong process.
Your doctor may also want to work with you as part of a team to help you lose weight. That team could include a dietitian, therapist, or other health care staff.
Your doctor will work with you to change your lifestyle. Sometimes they may also recommend weight-loss medicine or surgery.
Home Remedies:
- Add tomatoes, carrots, and dark leafy vegetables to your daily diet and keep your stomach full throughout the day. These vegetables have low-calorie content and are healthy for your health.
- Green tea is one of the most effective remedies for weight loss. Include 2-3 cups of green tea to reduce obesity in your everyday routine.
- Many of us avoid exercising daily. Lack of exercise can lead to obesity or being overweight. However, exercise helps burn extra body fat and keeps you healthy. So, it's time to exercise daily.
- Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of honey and lemon juice in a glass of warm water and drink this mixture every day in the morning.
- Mint leaves are very useful for weight loss. Add them to your daily diet as peppermint tea. You can also chew them after meals.
- Apple cider vinegar is very effective in breaking down body fat. Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink it every day on an empty stomach.
