What is Obesity?
Obesity is basically the accumulation of excessive or abnormal fat that poses health risks in individuals. These health risks may include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, etc.
The chronic nature of these health risks depends on the severity of obesity in a kid or adult.
What are the Causes of Obesity?
In simple terms, obesity arises when an individual consumes more calories than he/she burns via exercise and daily activities
Having said that, genetic, behavioural, metabolic & hormonal influences on body weight can play a role in an individual becoming obese.
The major risk factors of obesity are:
- Lifestyle choices
- Family inheritance & influences
- Certain diseases & medications
- Social & economic problems
- Age and other factors like stress, pregnancy, insomnia, etc
Obesity Symptoms and Signs
The common signs & symptoms of obesity are breathing problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, joint pain in lower back or knees, etc.
Individuals with obesity may also experience the signs & symptoms of the following health conditions:
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery disease
- Gallbladder or liver disease
- Depression
- Stroke
- Certain types of cancers
How to Prevent Obesity for Kids?
The following steps can be undertaken to prevent obesity in kids:
- Build a liking for healthy foods from an early age
- Consume healthy foods in the household
- Keep a check on consumption of unhealthy foods in the house
- Encourage eating in a slow and conscious manner
- Avoid overfeeding growing children
- Provide your child with a tiffin containing healthy snacks like fruits & dryfruits when outdoors
- Include fun & exciting physical activity in the daily schedule
- Limit the screen time of your child
- Ensure your child is getting adequate sleep daily
How to Prevent Obesity for Adults?
These steps can help in the prevention of obesity in adults:
- Limit the intake of processed & sugary foods
- Include servings of vegetables & fruits in your meals
- Pack healthy meals from home when traveling to avoid consumption of junk foods
- Consume significant amounts of dietary fiber to avoid binge eating between meals
- Do regular exercise for a decent amount of time
- Include a weight training regimen if possible
- Make efforts to reduce daily stress through meditation & pranayama
What are the Diagnosis & Treatment for Obesity?
Diagnosing obesity is usually done by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI) using your height & weight. Doctors may also enquire about your health history for better diagnosis.
The formula for BMI is kg/m2 wherein kg is your weight in kilograms and m2 is your height in metres squared.
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0-29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and higher | Obesity |
For the majority of individuals, BMI offers a good estimate of body fat and obesity.
Speaking of treatment for obesity, the following techniques can be employed:
- Modified diet with a reduced number of calories combined with regular exercise
- Prescription diet pills
- Non-prescription diet pills
- Surgery
In case you’re worried about your weight and associated health risks, it’s well-advised to consult a doctor for appropriate guidance.
Also, if you are searching for a reliable diagnostic centre and pathology lab, then you need to look no further than Clinico!
We are one of the highly-rated Diagnostic Centre and NABL Accredited Pathology Lab offering convenience, comfort and quick & accurate pathology and diagnostic services to our customers.
Contact us 24×7 on 9504555555 to schedule an appointment.
