OBESITY

Obesity refers to an increase in total body fat. Obesity is a chronic disease. 


Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9, 

• while obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30.0 or above. Medical disorders such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and gallbladder disease are associated with obesity. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, adult-onset diabetes, heart attack, stroke, degenerative joint disease of the back and knees, gallstones, and certain forms of cancer such as that of the breast, prostate, and colon. Obese women commonly can have infertility problems, irregular menstrual flow, and urinary incontinence. The good news is that losing as little as 10% of your current weight will help to lower your risk of developing certain obesity-related diseases. One recent study, for instance, indicates that a modest loss of 5% to 10% of body weight can lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Description of Obesity Often referred to as a disease, obesity is actually a sign of what may well be a spectrum of different kinds of disorders – genetic or environmental. In fact, there is no single definition of obesity. It may be simply an extreme degree of overweight - but a person can be overweight without being obese. A 250-pound, 6' linebacker, for example, may be overweight according to ordinary standards, but may actually have a below-average amount of body fat. In contrast, a person in a normal weight range but with very sedentary habits, could have a small muscle mass, be storing excess fat, and thus be classifiable as obese. 
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• Causes 
• Until recently, obesity was considered the result of a sedentary lifestyle and the chronic ingestion of excess calories. This may be the principal factor for many individuals, but there is evidence of strong genetic, metabolic, and environmental influences in the development of obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease caused by an interaction between genes and the environment. Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance that occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns through physical activity. If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. Conversely, if you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. Knowing that, why so many people consume more calories than they can burn is unknown. For most people, it isn't because of gluttony, lack of willpower, or laziness. Almost everyone who is overweight or obese has tried to lose weight, been temporarily successful, but failed to keep the lost weight and more from returning. Why is it so difficult to lose weight and keep it off? Scientists have only partial answers. They are still trying to sort out the complex interactions between genetic makeup and the environmental causes of obesity. Obesity has a strong genetic component, and tends to run in families. Family members share not only genes, but also diet and lifestyle habits that can contribute to obesity. In one study of adults who were adopted as children, researchers found that the subjects' adult weights were closer to their biological parents' weights than their adoptive parents. Apparently, in that study genetic makeup had more influence on those person's adult weights than did the environment provided by the adoptive family. Some experts estimated that 60% of our obesity is caused by genetic makeup, and 40% is caused by environmental factors. Environmental factors also play a significant role in causing obesity. The availability or lack of food, as well as economic status, are environmental factors that contribute to obesity The availability or lack of food, as well as economic status, are environmental factors that contribute to obesity. Environmental factors also include lifestyle behaviors such as what and how often you eat, and how active you are. Americans tend to like to eat a high-fat diet for reasons of taste and convenience. Also, many people, at least those in affluent industrialized countries, aren't physically active enough. Chronic sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of developing obesity. Many people eat in response to negative emotions such as anger, boredom, or sadness. However, most overweight people have no higher rates of diagnosed psychological disorders than people of normal weight. Binge-eating disorder, and an eating disorder in which people overeat for psychological reasons, can lead to obesity. Some prescription drugs and certain illnesses can cause or contribute to obesity. Hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and certain psychiatric and neurological problems can lead to weight gain. Certain drugs, including steroids and many medications used to treat psychiatric diseases such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, can cause excessive weight gain. 
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• Risk Factors A combination of genetic and environmental influences are considered to be risk factors for weight gain and obesity. People with a family history of certain diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, are more likely to become obese and develop those same problems once obese. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar levels are all warning signs of obesity-related diseases. For some women, pregnancy is a major risk factor for obesity. Although most women weigh only a few pounds more after pregnancy, about 15% of women put on an additional 10 pounds with each pregnancy. Underactive hypothyroid glands (hypothyroidism) have traditionally been thought to be a common cause of obesity. Of late, however, scientists feel that hypothyroidism rarely causes obesity because most obese patients who are treated for hypothyroidism do not lose their excess body weight. Overfeeding during infancy and an increase in fat cells and connective tissue that stores fat (adipose tissue) during infancy and childhood has been shown to predispose children to obesity later in life. Growing up in a low-income household limits access to high-nutrient, non-fatty foods. Therefore, being socially disadvantaged is an important risk factor for obesity; particularly for women. Leading a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for obesity. Physical activity not only increases your energy, but also helps to control your appetite. 
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• Using prescription drugs on a long-term basis has recently been recognized as a risk factor for obesity. Steroids and psychoactive drugs including traditional antidepressants (tricyclics, tetracyclics, and monamine oxidase inhibitors) and benzodiazepines, lithium, and antipsychotic drugs can cause weight gain. Diagnosis of Obesity A physical examination, including a measurement of weight and height, is usually sufficient to diagnose obesity. A complete medical history, including age of onset, family history, eating and exercise behavior, smoking, alcohol use, and previous weight loss experience are all important. Your physician may order blood tests, including fasting levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, to determine whether any obesity-related conditions are present. 
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• Symptoms 
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• For most people, weight gain leading to obesity occurs gradually, over a period of years. As you gain weight, you will notice that your clothes feel tight, and no longer fit. However, symptoms of being overweight and obese can be more serious than just noticing that your clothes are tight. Being overweight or obese can lead to joint pains, primarily in the low back, hip, and knee joints. People who are overweight are also more prone to develop carpel tunnel syndrome, and to develop rashes and fungal and bacterial infections of the skin. Overweight women have a higher chance of developing urinary incontinence, irregular menstrual cycles, and infertility. People who are overweight also get short of breath during exertion. Many overweight and obese people suffer from sleep apnea, a condition characterized by moments during sleep when breathing ceases. This can occur as often as hundreds of times per night and, if untreated, can lead to cardiovascular problems and premature death. Individuals with sleep apnea often feel very tired, even during the day. Treatment of Obesity Successful programs for weight loss reduction and maintenance should be started and followed under the care of a physician and/or a nutritionist. 
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• A weight-loss program may include: 
• • Exercise (the Surgeon General has called for 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week) 
• • A low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate, high fiber diet
• • Behavior modification to change eating behavior 
• • Social support 
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• . The key (and only) reason for the success of any dietary plan is that it make you consume fewer calories than what you are expending. It is very important to discuss all medications you are taking with your physician. 
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• Self Care Fad diets might help you lose weight, but few people manage to keep off the lost pounds. If you have tried diet after diet, but have never managed to keep off the weight you lost, you are not alone. Most people return to their pretreatment weight within five years. This is because obesity is a chronic disease, just like diabetes and hypertension. There is no quick cure. You need lifelong treatment and lifelong commitment. Most people can go on certain fad diets for duration of time and may lose weight. However, when they go off their diets and loss their motivation, they gain back their weight. Especially questionable are the popular high-protein diets. Because of their high fat and cholesterol content, most medical professionals do not consider high-protein diets to be safe or effective over the long term.

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