Obesity

What is obesity?

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

There are many reasons why some people have difficulty losing weight. Usually, obesity results from inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with diet, physical activity and exercise choices.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. A healthier diet, increased physical activity and behavior changes can help you lose weight. Prescription medications and weight-loss procedures are additional options for treating obesity.

Risk Factors of Obesity

Factors that may increase your risk of Obesity include :

a) Family inheritance and influences

---> The genes you inherit from your parents may affect the amount of body fat you store, and where that fat is distributed. Genetics may also play a role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy, how your body regulates your appetite and how your body burns calories during exercise.

b) Lifestyle choices

i. Unhealthy diet

---> A diet that's high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full of

fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages, such as sugared soft

drinks, can contribute to significant weight gain.

ii. Liquid calories

---> People can drink many calories without feeling full, especially calories

from alcohol. Other high-calorie beverages, such as sugared soft drinks, can

contribute to significant weight gain.

iii. Inactivity

---> If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily take in more calories

every day than you burn through exercise and routine daily activities.

Looking at computer, tablet and phone screens is a sedentary activity.

The number of hours spent in front of a screen is highly associated with

weight gain.

c) Age

---> Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. But as you age, hormonal changes and a less active lifestyle increase your risk of obesity. In addition, the amount of muscle in your body tends to decrease with age. Generally, lower muscle mass leads to a decrease in metabolism. These changes also reduce calorie needs and can make it harder to keep off excess weight. If you don't consciously control what you eat and become more physically active as you age, you'll likely gain weight.

d) Other factors

i. Pregnancy

---> Weight gain is common during pregnancy. Some women find this

weight difficult to lose after the baby is born. This weight gain may

contribute to the development of obesity in women.

ii. Quitting smoking

---> Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. And for

some, it can lead to enough weight gain to qualify as obesity. Often,

this happens as people use food to cope with smoking withdrawal. In

the long run, however quitting smoking is still a greater benefit to

your health than is continuing to smoke.

iii. Lack of sleep

---> Not getting enough sleep or getting too much sleep can cause

changes in hormones that increase appetite. You may also crave foods high

in calories and carbohydrates, which can contribute to weight gain.

iv. Stress

---> Many external factors that affect mood and well-being may contribute

to obesity. People often seek more high-calorie food when experiencing

stressful situations.

Even if you have one or more of these risk factors, it doesn't mean that you're destined to develop obesity. You can counteract most risk factors through diet, physical activity and exercise, and behavior changes.

Complications of Obesity

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including :

a) Heart disease and strokes

---> Obesity makes you more likely to have high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease and strokes.

b) Type 2 diabetes

---> Obesity can affect the way the body uses insulin to control blood sugar levels. This raises the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

c) Certain cancers

---> Obesity may increase the risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney and prostate.

d) Digestive problems

---> Obesity increases the likelihood of developing heartburn, gallbladder disease and liver problems.

e) Sleep apnea

---> People with obesity are more likely to have sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Quality of life

Obesity can diminish the overall quality of life. You may not be able to do physical activities that you used to enjoy. You may avoid public places. People with obesity may even encounter discrimination.

Other weight-related issues that may affect your quality of life include :

i. Depression

ii. Disability

iii. Shame and guilt

iv. Social isolation

v. Lower work achievement

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