Contents
Overview
Weight management has become a very important part of our well being. Due to lifestyle changes and unhealthy eating habits, people are gaining unnecessary weight.
Overweight and obese people are at an increased risk of diseases like stroke, diabetes, blood pressure etc. In this blog post, we are going to discuss obesity and weight control in detail.
What is Obesity?
There is a big difference between being obese and being overweight. For example, you could be weighing 1 kg more than your ideal weight and you will be called overweight. But to be obese, your body fat should be a lot more than your normal body weight.
Obesity is not just a physical condition. It is a chronic disease. You will need to consult a doctor to determine if you have obesity.
What is Weight Control?
Weight control is a broad term that encompasses all the actions we take and habits we incorporate to keep our weight stable. In traditional terms, it means keeping your weight within the range that suits your BMI (body mass index).
BMI is calculated using your height and weight. However, it differs for different ethnicities. Even sportspersons have a higher BMI, and it does not signify that they are obese. Some doctors even use waist circumference as a criterion for measuring obesity.
What are The Symptoms Of Obesity?
- The following BMI parameter is followed to find out if a person is obese.
| BMI Range | Status Of Your Weight |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Healthy weight |
| 25.0-29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and higher | Obese |
- The following waist circumference is used by doctors for people above the age of 35. People having a waist circumference more than what is mentioned below could also be categories as obese.
| Men’s waist | Women’s waist |
| 102 cm | 89 cm |
- However, there are many different factors to consider. Age and body type are some of them. Consult a doctor if you think you are at risk for obesity.
What are The Causes of Obesity?
There are many causes of obesity. It could be genetics or hormonal. But the principle behind weight gain is that you consume more calories than your body utilizes. This extra calorie gets deposited as fat in the body.
Let’s look at some important causes that are responsible for obesity in the present times.
- Genetic Causes
Obesity could run in family genes. A person with obese parents is likely to be obese. Genetics also control your hormone regulations.
This could be the reason for fat accumulation in your body. However, there is no significant scientific evidence to link genetics with obesity.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle
This has been the primary cause of obesity in youngsters today. An unhealthy diet consists of fast food which contains lots of trans fats. It leads to weight gain.
People continuously working on laptops have a sedentary life. This inactivity leads to fewer calories being utilized by the body. It can lead to weight gain.
- Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions like depression, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome etc. can cause weight gain. Medications like steroids and antidepressants can also cause weight gain.
- Social and Physiological issues
People going through an emotional phase could be consuming more calories. Boredom, sadness or stress could drive your hunger.
Even social issues like lack of money to buy healthy food or lack of space for doing exercise could contribute to weight gain. Other factors like age, pregnancy and lack of sleep could also lead to gain in weight.
How is Obesity Harmful?
People with obesity are at a higher risk of many health problems. Some of the complications associated with obesity are:
- Heart Disease and Stroke
Obesity increases cholesterol levels and blood pressure(hypertension). This could lead to severe heart-related diseases.
- Type 2 Diabetes
Fat cells are insulin resistant. This could lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in adults.
- Cancer
Obesity is a risk factor for cancer. Cancer of the uterus, cervix, breast, colon and gallbladder are associated with obesity.
- Digestive Problems
Heartburn and liver diseases are associated with obesity.
- Sleep Apnea
It is a serious condition in which breathing can suddenly stop for some time during your sleep. People with obesity are more likely to suffer from it.
- Osteoarthritis
Obesity can increase the stress on your joints. It can also cause inflammation in the body.
- Severe COVID-19 Symptoms
Obesity has been seen to cause severe conditions in people suffering from coronavirus disease.
How can I Control Weight?
If your diagnosis is that of obesity, your doctor will prescribe medicines and treatment for it. But if you are just overweight, these below-mentioned tips can help you control your weight.
- Learn about the nutritional value of each food product you consume. It will help you avoid products with lots of trans fats.
- Increase your physical activity. It could be in the form of light jogging, dancing or exercising in a gym.
- There are many weight loss programmes and clubs you can join. The encouragement helps you to practice healthy habits.
- Including more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Cutting on junk food will help you in the long run.
Conclusion
Obesity is a serious condition. Get a health check-up done if you have its symptoms. Weight control is a long journey. You will have to follow a strict diet and exercising pattern for a long period to see some results.
However, the result would be a reduced risk of diseases like stroke, hypertension and even cancer. Consulting a dietician for weight control is also a great idea.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or as a substitute for consulting a physician. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a healthcare professional.
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