Obesity is a generalized term that refers to overweight people. These people are in danger of developing a wide range of conditions and complications, including heart problems, liver disease, diabetes, and much more. There are several different classes of obesity, including Class I, Class II, and Class III. The higher the class is, the more overweight you are and the more severe your condition. Class II obesity, for instance, is when your BMI is between 35 and 40.
As such, Class II obesity is more serious than Class I but less severe than Class III. It develops slowly over time, often due to overeating and a sedentary lifestyle. If you do not deal with Class II obesity, it will eventually lead to Class III obesity and all the health problems that come with it.
Luckily, there are treatments available for Class II obesity, and it is possible to cure the condition. While some treatments include medications and surgery, others revolve around lifestyle changes and willpower. It is always better and healthier to lose excess weight naturally, but when you are unable to do so, medications and surgery are options.
The first thing you will need to do if you have Class II obesity and want to get healthy is make dietary changes. It is essential to avoid fatty and fried foods and junk foods, such as candy, baked goods, and other sweet treats. These types of foods and beverages contribute to obesity and must be cut out.
You will also need to eat less than you did before. In order to lose weight, you need to go into a caloric deficit, which means expelling more calories than you take in. As such, a low-calorie diet that’s heavy on fruits, veggies, and healthy meat and carbs is a must.
The second aspect of a caloric deficit is having a higher caloric output than input. Therefore, in addition to eating less, you need to exercise more to expel more calories. Jogging, walking, swimming, lifting weights, and other forms of cardio and resistance training are the best ways to expel calories.
While you can do each of these things on your own, it may be beneficial to join a local workout group or hire a personal trainer. Trainers and groups will keep you accountable to ensure you are putting in as much work as necessary to reach your goals.
In addition to working out and changing your diet, you may also benefit from counselling. Counselling is necessary because overcoming Class II obesity takes a ton of willpower and a complete change in your lifestyle and mindset.
If lifestyle and mental changes are not enough to help you overcome Class II obesity, you can also opt for medications. Weight loss medications work by tricking your brain into thinking you are fuller than you actually are. Therefore, these medications, such as semaglitude and liraglutide, help you eat less, resulting in weight loss. While medications are a good option, they are much more effective when you combine them with exercise and a healthy diet.
Although doctors do not like to jump straight to surgery, it is an option for Class II obesity. The most common surgical procedure for treating Class II obesity is a gastric bypass surgery. During this procedure, your doctor creates a new pathway for food so that it mostly bypasses the stomach. You can also opt for the less invasive gastric sleeve procedure, where your stomach size is surgically reduced so that you have less room for food.
For people with Class II obesity, it is tempting to want to take the easy way out with surgery. However, surgery for obesity is highly invasive and can cause long-term problems and complications. Therefore, it is always better to lose the weight naturally, through diet and exercise.