Obesity: Definition, Causes and Strategies for Sustainable Long-term Weight Management

Hey People! Did you know taking in more calories than you burn in daily activity and exercise on a long-term basis can lead to obesity? Over time, these extra calories add up and cause weight gain. Let’s discuss in this article.

Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation that takes a person’s weight and height into account to measure body size. Doctors typically use it as a screening tool for obesity, where a body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.

Obesity is a complex disease involving having too much body fat. It isn’t just a cosmetic concern. It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of many other diseases and health problems. These can include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and certain cancers.

Common Specific Causes of Obesity Include:

• Genetics — It can affect how your body processes food into energy and how fat is stored.
• Age- As we grow older the muscle mass reduces and results in slower metabolic rate, making it easier to gain weight.
• Sleep Pattern — Not sleeping enough, can lead to hormonal changes that make you feel hungrier and crave certain high calorie foods.
• Stress- High stress, triggers the production of hormones that cause you to eat more and store more fat.
• Metabolic syndrome — A group of risk factors that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high levels of triglycerides, low levels of HDL cholesterol, and excess fat around your waist that raise your chance of developing certain serious health conditions.
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)- It is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain important hormones leading to unusual weight gain.
• Osteoarthritis (OA) — It causes pain that leads to reduced activity and increase the chances of weight gain.

Strategies to Control Obesity For Sustainable Long-term Weight Management

• An active lifestyle and plenty of exercise, along with healthy eating, is the safest way to lose weight.
• Choosing healthier foods (whole grains, fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and protein sources) and beverages.
• Limiting unhealthy foods (refined grains and sweets, potatoes, red meat, processed meat) and beverages (sugary drinks).
• Increasing physical activity.
• Limiting television time, screen time, and other “sit time”
• Control in Portion sizes.
• Improving sleep and Reducing stress.
• Healthy food choices at home and in restaurants.
• Opting for healthy snacks options.
• Reading nutrition labels and healthy grocery shopping And adding new ways to prepare food.

Obesity is the new global epidemic threatening millions of people to have its serious complications and its morbid associated diseases. It’s wide spread due to consumption of junk food meals high in carbohydrates & fat together with high caloric. Additionally, the dependence on cheap foods which are characterized with low-protein and high calorie content is leading factor in obesity. Therefore, Examining your habits and making reasonable changes can help you prevent obesity.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/obesity

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-causes-of-weight-gain

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-obesity

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742