Obesity is a disease in which a person has an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity increases one’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health problems. It is a growing epidemic in all areas of the world except for sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 650 million adults and children across the globe suffer from obesity.
The most apparent symptom of obesity is the accumulation of excess fat. However, there are many other symptoms of obesity. They include the following:
Obesity occurs when one consumes more calories than what is expended through daily activities and exercise. The body stores excess calories as fat.
There are two reasons for the rising prevalence of obesity in the world:
The combination of an unhealthy diet and sedentary routine leads to an energy imbalance. More calories are taken in than calories are burned.
There are risk factors that increase one’s propensity to gain weight. These risk factors include:
High levels of stress can affect the brain and hormone levels. These changes, in turn, can make one eat more and store more fat.
Researchers have found several genes that can influence one’s disposition for obesity.
A person may have an underlying health condition that causes them to gain weight. Examples include metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. The underlying health condition must be treated first before one’s weight can return to healthy standards.
Certain medications (i.e., antidepressants and insulin) can cause one to be hungrier than normal. If one notices significant weight gain while on a certain medication, ask a doctor if there is an alternative medication that will have less of an impact on one’s weight.
Obesity is a precursor for several diseases and health problems including those listed below:
For adults, obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI). BMI indicates how much body fat one has and is calculated using one’s weight and height. A person is considered obese if he/she has a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.
For children under five years old, obesity is measured by comparing the child’s weight and height against the WHO Child Growth Standards. For children between 5 and 19 years old, obesity is measured by comparing the child’s BMI against the WHO Growth Reference median.
Obesity can be treated by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. It is recommended that adults exercise a minimum of 150 minutes per week. There are also prescription medications and weight-loss procedures (gastric bypass and gastroplasty) that can be used to treat obesity. Favourable outcomes are produced when treatment options are combined with behavioural therapy.
Obesity is a preventable disease. Preventative measures include the following:
It is important that society facilitates the treatment of obesity by making physical activity and healthy diets more affordable and accessible to all individuals. Even modest weight loss can help prevent the complications associated with obesity.