Obesity is when you have too much body fat, and this excess body fat threatens your health. The various degrees of obesity are identified in relation to a patient’s body mass index, or BMI. This calculation shows how much your body weight to height ratio is and identifies situations where a patient has exceeded the healthy range for their height. Obesity class I requires that your BMI is 30-35.
The symptoms of obesity are:
Patients who are obese might also have stretch marks, swelling of the lower limbs, and a waist circumference that is greater than 94 cm in men and 88 cm in women. High blood pressure is usually a part of this condition, and some patients also have acanthosis nigricans which is a skin disorder that is related to hyperpigmentation of the skin in certain areas.
The causes of obesity can be numerous, and many people have different factors in their life that might lead them to suffer from this condition. Most people work sedentary jobs where they sit at a desk all day and not enough people are physically active. The oversized portions of food that many people consume create a situation that can lead to consumption of three to four times the recommended caloric intake on a daily basis.
Unhealthy food consumption, as well as pre-existing health conditions, can also lead to an increased risk of obesity. Genetics are also a risk factor for becoming obese, and some medications that are used to treat Cushing’s Syndrome and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as medications used to manage autoimmune conditions, can lead to excess weight gain.
Other risk factors include being stressed at work, suffering from emotional issues, or sleeping poorly. Mental health and weight gain are directly correlated, which means that patients can struggle with a cycle of depression and depression-related eating or stress-eating that can lead to obesity.
Diagnosis of this health condition is made by calculating someone’s BMI. This can be done using a height-to-weight ratio chart, or it can be done by calculating BMI by hand using a mathematical equation. Some doctors will measure the circumference of a patient’s hip and waist, or they might take a measurement of the thickness of a skin fold to determine BMI.
Prevention of obesity might not always be possible. However, if you have other obese people in your family, or you are taking medications that can make you gain weight, you can begin managing your caloric intake and your daily exercise to help combat these factors related to your health. Everyone should eat a healthy diet, be careful not to overeat, and be sure that they are getting daily exercise in order to maintain health and well-being.
Treatment of obesity is often done by making small changes to lifestyle and diet. Adding a little bit of exercise to your daily routine and building up to a more intense workout routine can help prevent injury and frustration with this daily task. Obese patients will also usually be placed on a diet that reduces caloric intake every day and focuses on healthy foods.
In some cases, doctors will recommend weight loss medications or weight loss surgery to help obese patients control their weight. These treatment plans are not for everyone, and your doctor will have to determine if you are a candidate to reduce your weight through these methods. Most patients who are obese will also be referred to a dietician or nutrition specialist to ensure that they are getting the right nutrition as they work to reduce their weight.