Weight Loss – Obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity is widely acknowledged as the leading preventable illness and cause of death. Recently the rising numbers of obesity in developed nations have resulted in the World Health Organization classifying obesity as an epidemic. Obesity is a health condition in which excessive or abnormal fat build up pose a health risk to the individual.

How to measure Obesity?

A basic way to measure obesity is to use the body mass index (BMI). The weight of the individual in kilograms is divided by the square of his or height in meters. A person with a body mass index equal to or over twenty five is considered overweight whereas a person with a body mass index of thirty or more is considered obese. It is generally accepted that a person must look obese to be diagnosed as obese, however this is not accurate since obesity is a measure of having excess body fat.

The definition of obesity is an individual within the normal weight range who is storing more fat instead of maintaining muscle. In turn, a person who is classified as being overweight may actually have a larger muscle mass and below average amounts of fats stored in their body which is why they are not classified as obese.

Symptoms and Risk Factors of Obesity

Health hazards and symptoms related to obesity include:

• Depression
• Breathing disorders
• Joint Disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Gastroeosphageal disease
• Gallbladder or Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Prostrate and Bowel Cancer in men
• Breast and Uterine Cancer in women

The greater the obesity, the greater the likelihood of the individuals having medical complications that are associated with obesity. There are also psychosocial obscurities that arise from having obesity including low self esteem, discrimination, reduced quality/enjoyment of life, and difficulty obtaining employment.

Causes of Obesity

There are several causes of obesity. The common one being the body consuming more calories than it burns. In contrast to the popular idea of obesity caused by overeating, under exercise, and lack of willpower, doctors recognize obesity being a complex medical problem caused by several factors.

These factors include:

• Genetics
• Environment
• Behavioral
• Social settings

Environmental and behavioral factors having the superior influence because these factors reflect on eating and physical activity habits. Consuming excess calories from high fat foods and doing little or no exercise for over long periods of time will lead to weight gain. Modern research shows that genetics do play a role since genetics can influence changes in appetite and fat metabolism which have the potential to causing obesity. Consequently these factors can influence how an individual lives their life and whether their lifestyle choices can lead to obesity or not.

Treatment of Obesity

There are many options available to adjust obesity the simplest and safest being, making small changes in your everyday life. From talking the stairs to switching to healthier foods, these changes will gradually introduce weight loss. Other options include exercise regimes partnered with healthier eating plans, weight loss plans, and weight loss drugs. The key to following any of these methods is to research your options carefully and to always talk to your healthcare professional before starting any health plan or making any changes because not all the options available may be applicable to you.