What is obesity?
Definition: According to the WHO, Obesity or
overweight is defined as having an excessive or abnormal accumulation of fat in
your body that impairs your normal health.
Obesity is measured by the BMI calculator. Online calculators
are available to help you in keeping track of your weight. BMI=weight in
kg/height in meter square.
·
Being overweight is defined as having BMI more than or
equal to 25, and
Obesity
is defined as having BMI more than or equal to 30.
In 2016 more than 2 billion people were overweight. Now, this value has doubled.
What
are the causes of obesity or weight gain?
All causes of obesity and overweight are preventable and
modifiable. It is the imbalance of calories consumed and calories burned. Overeating
and consumption of junk food is the major cause of obesity. Whenever you eat more
than your body requires for daily life, extra calories are stored in the shape
of fat cells. Some important causes are
Eating
more than the required calories: Eating food that is high in sugar and fat content.
Sedentary
lifestyle: Moving less and eating more.
Lack
of exercise: Lack of exercise results in the
accumulation of extra calories in the shape of fat cells in your belly.
Eating
junk food: Eating out a lot and ordering
starter desserts can be high in sugar and fat content.
Poor eating habits: Packed junk food and soft drinks also contain high amounts of sugar.
Genetics:
Genetics also play a role in obesity but
it is rare.
Drugs:
Certain drugs may result in increasing
your weight. Drugs such as steroids are drugs used to treat epilepsy, diabetes
mellitus, depression, and, schizophrenia. Always
consult your local healthcare provider for further information and assessment.
Medical
conditions: Certain medical conditions may result in gaining extra weight such as Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome.
Consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
What
are the complications of obesity?
Obesity has a direct link with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and osteoarthritis. In recent clinical and research trials obesity is also associated with an increased risk of developing cancers.
In females, obesity is associated development of subfertility,
hormonal imbalance, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
16
ways to lose weight without dieting or fasting.
1.
Make your plate green with fresh vegetables and fruits.
2.
Never miss your breakfast.
3.
Use less alcohol.
4.
Avoid soft drinks, replace them with diet soda.
5.
Drink more water.
6.
Exercise regularly, at least 150mins per week.
7.
Avoid junk food and replace them with meat fish and
whole grain bakery items.
8.
Do yoga and meditation, it is a proven fact that it
helps you lose weight.
9.
Keep a track of your weight.
10.
Keep a calorie diary to maintain a healthy food
intake.
11.
Keeping a record of your progress makes it easy to see
changes and keep on motivated.
12.
Never give up, losing weight takes a lot of time and
patience.
13.
Increase your fiber diet intake, it also protects you
from certain diseases and cancers.
14.
Watch less television.
15.
Stay active during your work hours.
16.
Go green with green tea.
Is
there any medical or surgical treatment for obesity?
There are some medical drugs such as orlistat and liraglutide. It is always
advised to consult your local healthcare provider for assistance.
There are some surgical options to help such as bariatric
surgeries which help you in losing your weight. There are criteria based on
your BMI for decision-making and choosing an appropriate surgical procedure for
you. Your local healthcare provider will help you with further assessment and
procedure.
