About Obesity

About Obesity

Understanding General Obesity

   

 

Obesity is a disease characterized by excessive body fat. People who are medically obese usually are affected by behavior, genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control with dieting. Obesity increases the likelihood of certain diseases and other related health problems.

   

Who Is Affected?  

   

 

Obesity is a serious world wide health epidemic that affects one in four Americans. This phenomenon is global and about 30 million Indians are obese. It is predicted to double in the next 5 years.

   

What Is The Difference Between Overweight And Obese?  

   

 

Stages of overweight are medically defined by body mass index (BMI). An individual with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is clinically classified as overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is classified as obese. Overweight individuals are also at risk for developing health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, gout (joint pain caused by excess uric acid) and gallbladder disease. Being overweight can also cause problems such as sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints). Weight-loss can help improve the harmful effects of being overweight. However, many overweight people have difficulty reaching their healthy body weight.

   

Body Mass Index (BMI)

   

 

BMI is a number calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by his or her height in meters squared. BMI is used in determining obesity. Obesity is most commonly calculated using BMI. An adult with a BMI of 30 or greater is clinically obese. BMI is not used to determine a person’s actual percentage of body fat, but it is a good indicator to categorize weight in terms of what is healthy and unhealthy.

   

What Is The Health Risks Associated With Obesity?  

   

 

There are more than 30 medical conditions that are associated with obesity. Individuals who are obese are at risk of developing one or more of these serious medical conditions, causing poor health or, in severe cases, early death. In fact, more than 112,000 annual deaths in the U.S.A are attributable to obesity. The most prevalent obesity-related diseases include :

 

Diabetes

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Heart disease

Stroke

Gallbladder disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Osteoarthritis

Sleep apnea and respiratory problems some Cancers

   

What Causes Obesity?

   

Obesity is due to an individual taking in more calories than they burn over an extended period of time. These “extra” calories are stored as fat. Although there are several factors that can lead to this energy imbalance in obese individuals, the main contributors are behavior, environment and genetics.

   

Behavior : In today’s fast-paced environment, it is easy to adopt unhealthy behaviors. Behavior, in the case of obesity, relates to food choices, amount of physical activity you get and the effort to maintain your health. Based on food choices, many people now select diets that are calorie-rich, but nutrient-poor. This behavioral problem also relates to the increase in meal quantity at home and when dining out.  

   

Environment : Environment plays a key role in shaping an individual’s habits and lifestyle. There are many environmental influences that can impact your health decisions. Today’s society has developed a more sedentary lifestyle. Walking has been replaced by driving cars, basic physical activity has been replaced by technology and nutrition has been overcome by fast foods.  

   

Genetics : Science shows that genetics play a role in obesity. Genes can cause certain disorders which result in obesity. However, not all individuals who are predisposed to obesity become obese. Research is currently underway to determine which genes contribute most to obesity.  

   

What Are The Social Effects Of Obesity?

   

 

Individuals affected by obesity often face obstacles far beyond health risks. Emotional suffering may be one of the most painful parts of obesity. Society often emphasizes the importance of physical appearance. As a result, people who are obese often face prejudice or discrimination in the job market, at school and in social situations.

   

 

Effects at Work : Due to the negative stigma associated with obesity, obese employees are often viewed as less competent, lazy and lacking in self-discipline by their co-workers and employers. Often times, discriminatory attitudes can negatively impact salary, promotions and employment status for obese employees. Finding a job can also be a difficult task for an obese individual. Studies show that obese applicants are less likely to be hired than thinner applicants, despite having identical job qualifications.

   

 

Effects at School : Educational settings also provide the possibility for discriminatory situations. Obese children face numerous obstacles, ranging from harassment, teasing and rejection from peers, to biased attitudes from teachers. At a young age, children are exposed to obesity’s negative stigma. Obese children are sometimes characterized as being unhappy, lazy, mean and not having many friends.

   

 

In Healthcare Settings : Negative attitudes about obese patients also exist in the healthcare setting. Obese patients are often reluctant to seek medical care, may be more likely to delay important preventative healthcare services and more frequently cancel medical appointments. Delaying medical attention can lead to delayed discovery or treatment of co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while becoming more physically damaging. The consequences of this discrimination can seriously impact an individual’s quality of life and only further intensify the negative stigma associated with obesity.

   

What Treatments Are Available For Obesity?  

   

 

Obesity treatment strategies vary from person to person. Beginning treatment early is an essential part of success, and it is important to talk with your physician before beginning any weight-loss program. There are several methods for treating obesity, such as behavior modification, physical activity, non clinical weight management programs, medically managed weight-loss and surgical treatment.

   

Behavior Modification : Behavior plays a significant role in obesity. Modifying behaviors that have contributed to developing obesity is one way to treat the disease either alone or in conjunction with other treatments. A few suggested behavior modifiers include: changing eating habits, increasing physical activity, becoming educated about the body and how to nourish it appropriately, engaging in a support group or extracurricular activity and setting realistic weight management goals.

   

Physical Activity : Increasing or initiating a physical activity program is an important aspect in managing obesity. Today’s society has developed a very sedentary lifestyle and routine physical activity can greatly impact your health. Set realistic goals and make sure to consult with your doctor before initiating any exercise program.

   

Medically Managed Weight-Loss : Medically managed weight-loss programs provide treatment in a clinical setting with a licensed healthcare professional, such as a medical doctor, registered dietitian and/or psychologist. These programs typically offer services such as prescription of weight-loss medications, nutrition education, physical activity instruction and behavioral therapy.

   

Surgical Treatment : Surgical treatment of obesity is an option for those who are classified as morbidly obese. Morbid obesity is defined as a patient having a BMI of 40 or greater, or weighing more than 40 kilograms over their ideal body weight. In addition, a patient with a BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related diseases is also classified as morbidly obese. There are a few different types of bariatric surgery or weight-loss surgery treatment options, such as Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve resection and Adjustable Gastric Banding.