ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE OBESE?
As a health worker, I have observed that people are facing obesity problems all around the world. Obesity is related to hundreds of health problems. I have seen many people struggle with low self confidence because of obesity. I have seen many patients face problems in their professional and personal life as well because of obesity. Some of them can lose weight but regain it in a short period due to negligence of diet and daily routines. There are many possible and practical ways to lose weight, but they only work when there is consistency.
WHAT IS OBESITY?
In general terms, excessive or abnormal fat accumulation in the body is known as obesity or being overweight. There are many health risks of obesity. Generally, an obese person has a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or more, and an overweight person has a BMI of 25 or more.
Obesity is a complicated ailment that includes an increased measure of fat to muscle ratio. It isn’t only a beauty concern, but also a clinical issue that builds danger to the individual’s health Examples of conditions that may arise due to obesity include some heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and certain tumors.
WHAT CAUSES OBESITY?
There are many causes of obesity. Generally, it results from both
- Iinherited factors and individual lifestyles/habits, like eating habits (consuming sweet foods and other foods that are high in calories)
- Lifestyle/habits like lack of exercise, sitting for prolonged hours, little or no daily activities that involve moving your body around physically.
HOW WOULD I KNOW IF I AM OBESE?
Obesity is detected when you have a body mass index of 30 or higher. If you want to determine your BMI, determine the weight of your body in kilograms, determine your height in metres and then take the square of it. Now, divide your height by the square of your height. Whatever value you get is your body mass index(BMI).
| BMI | Weight Status |
| 30 and higher | Obesity |
| 25.0- 29.9 | Overweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal |
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
For many people, the BMI gives a good estimate of muscle vs. fat. Yet, sometimes the BMI value can not be reliable in identifying an obese person. Athletes may have a BMI in the obesity group even though they don’t have the extra muscle to fat ratio.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT
In case you’re worried about your weight, you and your physician can determine your health risk and have a discussion on the available weight loss options that could be helpful to you. Find a physician or speak with a Doctor on Flexicare here.
WHAT MAKES A PERSON LIKELY TO BE OBESE?
There is a combination of factors that makes a person likely to become obese or overweight. These include:
- Family genetic inheritance:
People can drink a lot of calories without feeling full, especially calories from liquor. Other unhealthy drinks, like sugary drinks, can add to critical weight gain.
- Lifestyle:
i. Diet
An eating routine that is high in calories, lacks natural food, contains fast food, and loaded with unhealthy drinks when taken frequently and in large amounts, add to weight gain.
ii. Calories in liquids
People can drink a lot of calories without feeling full, mostly calories from liquor. Other unhealthy drinks, like sugary drinks, can also add to critical weight gain.
iii. Inactivity
If you have a lifestyle of reduced or no physical activity, and you take in more calories than you burn in the whole day, there is a risk of obesity. Sitting at a PC, tablet, or telephone screen is a stationary movement and doesn’t count as physical activity. The number of hours you spend using a screen might even have a direct connection with weight gain.
Certain medications and health conditions
For some people, obesity may be the result of a specific disease. Cushing syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and other diseases can be the cause of obesity. Arthritis is a medical problem that can lead to decreased activity that may result in weight gain.
Also, if some medicines are not taken with a controlled diet and exercise, they can result in sudden weight gain. These medications include some anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, beta-blockers, diabetes medications, steroids, and antipsychotic medications.
HOW DO I PREVENT OBESITY OR FIGHT OBESITY?
Fortunately, weight loss can improve or avoid medical issues related to obesity.
Dietary changes, increased physical activity/ exercise, and other behavior changes can help you prevent obesity. There are also drugs and other weight reduction strategies that can help in the fight against obesity.
Whether you are obese, overweight, or at risk of obesity, or facing problems due to your weight, you can still take control. You can lose weight as fast as you are gaining right now.
Many people have set the example of weight loss by channeling their will power and commitment and the success stories abound. Simple lifestyle changes as outlined below can make a big difference over time.
- Regular exercise
Regular exercise can prevent weight gain. If you have already gained weight, exercise can prove to be beneficial to lose excess weight rapidly. Exercise includes many physical activities, like walking, jumping, dancing, yoga, and many others.
- A healthy diet plan
If you are following a healthy diet plan, exercise can work more effectively. In a healthy diet, try to focus on foods that have low-calorie, vegetables, and fruits enriched with nutrients. Avoid high-calorie and high-fat foods. Take meals regularly and limit your snacks. This strategy will help you to lose weight and stay healthy.
- Keep an eye on your weight.
When you are on a mission of weight loss, you should try to keep track. The person who often weighs himself can probably lose more weight as compared to others. Monitoring can help you to know the result of your efforts.
When these weight loss strategies don’t work, your doctor may move you to the next step by prescribing some weight loss medications and strict diet plans. If the drug doesn’t work, the last step is surgery.
I would recommend that everyone struggling with their weight should adopt healthy habits. Our habits affect our lives a lot. When you become more active, there is less risk of getting obese, and you can lose weight more efficiently.
Consistency in your efforts is the best solution to tackling obesity.
Stick to your regular exercise and weight loss plan for faster results. You’ve got this.