Obesity

Overweight and obesity is the second leading cause of death, killing 300,000 people a year, ... There is not a miracle pill that will lead to weight loss ~ Richard Carmona

Obesity is perhaps one of the most dangerous health problems increasing at an alarming rate due to various factors most of which are related to the changing lifestyles. Here is some basic information about obesity.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a condition where the fat layer accumulates in the body to a point where it becomes a health risk. The human body can afford to accumulate a little extra fat but when the fat accumulation exceeds the minimum extent, it interferes with the general health issues and becomes a cause of great concern.

How do I find out whether I am obese?

The easiest and most efficient way to find out if you are obese is to check your body mass index. The body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing a person’s body weight by his/her height. The statistical benchmarks set by World Health Organization (WHO) define a BMI of 25 or more as ‘overweight’ 25, and a person with a BMI of 30 or more is labeled as ‘obese’. However it is observed that chronic health risks increase from a BMI value of 21 onward.

What are the risks associated with obesity?

In addition to being a cause of physical distress for the person, obesity paves way for various chronic diseases as well. The various medical problems that can be initiated or aggravated by obesity include diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, fatty liver diseases, gall bladder diseases, fertility and pregnancy problems, in addition to the physical discomfort and psychological stress.

What are the causes of obesity?

An unhealthy diet containing excessive fat percentage and excessive amounts of calories can lead to obesity. A sedentary lifestyle without adequate physical activity is also one of the major causes for obesity. People with unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive alcohol intake (especially beer) and lack of physical activity also tend to get obese. Pregnant women also tend to gain excessive weight, which they may find difficult to shed after the delivery and can thus lead to obesity. Some medicines like corticosteroids, tricyclic antidepressants as well ascertain high blood pressure and ant psychotic medications can lead to weight gain.

What are the factors that can increase the risk of obesity?

There are several risk factors associated with obesity. First and foremost the genetic make up that plays a role in fat deposition and fat burning. Also if both the parents are obese, the risks of the child being obese are high. In addition to that age also plays an important factor that might hinder the calorie-burning process and aggravates the fat accumulation. It is also said that since women have less muscle mass, they manage to burn lesser calories than the men and hence have a higher risk of obesity.

If I am obese, what are the treatment options available?

The healthiest way to fight obesity is by switching to a healthier diet and a strict exercise regime and following it rigorously. There also exist several medications that help to facilitate weight loss however these are to be administered only if prescribed by your physician. Surgery is also an option in case the case is highly complicated and cannot be resolves by the other treatment options.

How can obesity be prevented?

Maintaining a healthy diet rich in essential vitamins, proteins, minerals, and controlled amounts of carbohydrates and fats and lots of water can be one of the ways to lead a healthy life style and stay away from the risks of obesity. Avoiding junk food, and processed foods and consuming lots of fresh vegetables and fruits can enhance your health. Regular exercising through some physical activity is a must to burn the excess fat and avoid fat accumulation and thus fight obesity.

By Uttara Manohar
Published: 3/4/2008

Article from: www.buzzle.com