What is Obesity?
Obesity is a condition that describes a person as being overweight, overweight, and having a lot of fat in their body.
There are various ways to classify obesity, but the most widely used method is using body mass index (BMI).
This method is carried out by measuring the ratio between body weight (kilograms) and height (meters) squared.
More than just a body image issue, obesity is a medical problem that increases the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
There are many reasons why many people have difficulty losing weight. This is because obesity is generally the result of hereditary, physiological, and environmental factors.
The good news is that even a small amount of weight loss can improve or prevent obesity-related health problems.
A healthy diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral changes can help a person lose weight.
Symptoms of Obesity
Generally, early-stage obesity does not have any symptoms that affect the body.
The sufferer does not realize that his weight continues to increase and his old clothes become too small.
Sufferers generally only become aware of these symptoms after relatives or those around them remind them and tell them.
A diagnosis of obesity occurs when the body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher.
Body mass index is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat.
Unfortunately, BMI does not directly measure the amount of fat in the body, so some people, such as athletes, have a BMI in the obese category even though they do not have excess body fat.
Obesity Risk Factors
A number of risk factors that cause someone to become obese are genetics, lifestyle, inactivity, unhealthy diet, certain medical problems.
Here are some other risk factors:
- Living in an environment with limited healthy food.
- Depression can sometimes lead to weight gain as some people may turn to food for emotional relief.
- Quitting smoking can also cause weight gain.
- Medications, such as steroids or birth control pills, can also increase the risk of weight gain.
Causes of Obesity
Obesity occurs when the intake of calories is greater than the body needs.
This causes excess energy, so it is converted into reserves in the form of fat.
In addition, genetic, behavioral, and hormonal influences on body weight are also one of the causes of obesity.
This condition can also be related to medical causes, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, other diseases and conditions.
However, this disorder is very rare. In general, the main causes of obesity are lack of activity and unhealthy eating patterns and habits.
Obesity Diagnosis
Anamnesis will be asked about previous weight history, weight loss efforts, exercise habits, diet, other conditions you have, medications, stress levels, and other health issues.
Family health history is also reviewed for risk factors.
A general physical examination includes measuring height, checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature, listening to the heart and lungs, and examining the abdomen.
This should be done at least once a year. After that, to determine the level of obesity, weight and height are measured to check the body mass index (BMI).
These measurements should be carried out at least once a year.
BMI also helps determine overall health risks and what treatments may be appropriate. Next, measure waist circumference or visceral fat.
Then, check for other health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Blood tests are important to see the risk factors and symptoms that may be experienced.
These tests include cholesterol, liver function, fasting glucose, thyroid, and others. Certain heart tests, such as an electrocardiogram, may also be recommended.
Obesity Treatment
Having a healthy diet, a low-calorie diet and regular exercise are the best ways to treat obesity.
Follow a balanced diet, control calories, and do physical activity to increase energy burning and energy reserves.
Here are treatments to deal with obesity:
- Cut calories. The key to losing weight is to cut calories. On average, women need 1,200 to 1,500 calories and men need 1,500 to 1,800 calories.
- Exercise and activity. People with obesity need to do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity to prevent further weight gain.
- Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. This procedure involves placing stitches in the stomach to reduce the amount of food and fluid the stomach can hold at one time. Over time, eating and drinking less helps people lose weight.
- Intragastric balloon. In this procedure, the doctor places a small balloon into the stomach. The balloon is then filled with water to reduce the amount of space in the stomach, so you feel full by eating less.
- Adjustable gastric banding. During this procedure, an inflatable band separates the stomach into two pouches. The surgeon pulls the band tight, like a belt, to create a small channel between the pouches. The band holds the opening in place and is generally designed to stay in place permanently.
- Gastric bypass surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon creates a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach. The small intestine is then cut away from the main stomach and connected to the new pouch. Food and fluids flow directly from the pouch into this part of the intestine, bypassing most of the stomach.
- Counseling. A therapist can help you understand why you overeat and learn healthy ways to cope with anxiety. You can also learn how to monitor your diet and activity, understand your triggers, and cope with food cravings.
Complications of Obesity
People with obesity are at greater risk of developing a number of potentially serious health problems, including:
- Heart disease and stroke. Obese people tend to have high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
- Type 2 diabetes. This condition can affect the way your body uses insulin to control blood sugar levels. This increases the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
- Certain cancers. Obesity can increase the risk of cancers of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, and prostate.
- Digestive problems. Obese people are at higher risk of heartburn, gallbladder disease, and liver problems.
- Sleep apnea. People with obesity are prone to sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
- Osteoarthritis. Obesity increases stress on weight-bearing joints, as well as increasing inflammation in the body. These factors can lead to complications such as osteoarthritis.
- Severe COVID-19 symptoms. Obesity increases the risk of developing severe symptoms when infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Obesity Prevention
Steps to prevent weight gain include daily exercise, a healthy diet, and a long-term commitment to monitoring what you eat and drink.
Exercising regularly in the form of moderate-intensity activity for 150 to 300 minutes a week can prevent weight gain.
Moderately intense physical activity includes brisk walking and swimming. Follow a healthy eating plan, focusing on low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid saturated fats and limit sweets and alcohol.
Eat three meals a day with limited snacks.
Monitor and study your daily diet and always weigh yourself regularly and consistently.
The process of losing weight is not easy and short, and implementing a healthy lifestyle should not be considered temporary.
The most important thing is to have a mindset that a healthy lifestyle must be carried out continuously, if your weight decreases it is a bonus from a healthy body.