Obesity, which is when you are overweight, is one of the biggest health concerns in the world, including South Africa. There are three different classes of obesity – Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class I essentially means you are slightly obese, and your BMI is between 30 and 35. Class II and III are more severe, and Class I can quickly turn into Class II or III if you do not seek immediate treatment.
Class I obesity is dangerous because it can lead to many health problems and complications. Fatty liver disease, hypertension, heart problems, diabetes, digestive problems, and poor sleeping are the most common complications of obesity. Several of these complications can be deadly, and each one requires a different course of treatment.
The goal of treating obesity is to get your body back to a healthy weight. Class I obesity is the easiest form of obesity to treat because it is the mildest. Treatment is often lifelong because if you are obese once, you are at risk of becoming obese again if you are not careful. Treatment typically includes lifestyle and dietary changes but includes surgery, medication, and alternative treatments.
In order for Class I obesity treatment to be successful, it is often necessary to start slow. Progress is made little by little, and you should set small goals for yourself. Start by losing one to two pounds in the first week and work your way up from there. It may be necessary to consult a dietician or nutritionist for dietary advice.
Losing weight always starts with your diet. Therefore, if you have Class I obesity, you will need to make significant changes. These changes include eating less junk food, sweets, fried food, and other unhealthy options and eating more fruit and vegetables.
Dietary changes also include eating less in general, as the only way to lose weight is to get into a caloric deficit. This means consuming more calories than you eat daily, which means eating less food. You will also need to drink fewer sweet and sugary beverages, as these contribute to obesity.
The second part of the caloric deficit is to use up more calories than you consume. That means getting plenty of exercise and remaining active through walking, running, or working out. While you can hire a personal trainer to reach your fitness goals, you can do plenty of things on your own. As we said before, walking, running, swimming, weight training, and other forms of cardio and resistance training will get the job done.
Many people do not realize that they can get addicted to food. Food addiction is often what leads to Class I obesity, which will quickly turn into Class II and III obesity if you do not overcome your addiction. Therefore, you may need cognitive behavioural therapy from a licensed and experienced counsellor to help you with your addiction. Group therapy, where you meet with other people struggling with food addiction, is also helpful.
If you cannot treat Class I obesity through exercise, dietary changes, and counselling, you may need medications. Weight loss medications are growing more and more popular. While they often require a prescription, these medications are readily available, even to those who are not yet obese. Ozempic and Wegovy are two common weight loss medications, and they make you feel fuller for longer, resulting in less of a desire for food.
On its own, Class I obesity is a fairly minor condition. However, because it can lead to Class II and III obesity, which are much more serious and cause more severe complications, it is important to treat Class I obesity as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if your condition progresses and you continue to gain weight, you may require surgery and other more invasive procedures.