The risks of Obesity
Obesity is a condition characterized by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation.
The symptoms of obesity:
- Above average body weight.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Sleep apnea- a condition in which breathing is irregular and periodically stops during sleep.
- Varicose veins.
- Skin problems caused by moisture that accumulates in the folds of your skin.
- Gallstones.
- Osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints, especially the knees.
The causes of obesity:
- Genetics.
- Physiological influences.
- Food intake and eating disorders.
- Weight history.
The risk factors for obesity:
- Hereditary.
- Unhealthy diet.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Drugs like steroid hormones and drugs used to treat psychiatric conditions.
- Pregnancy.
- Lack of sleep.
- Quitting smoking.
How can I prevent obesity?
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Limit unhealthy foods (refined grains and sweets, potatoes, red meat, processed meat) and beverages (sugary drinks).
- Improve sleep routine and reduce stress.
How to diagnose obesity?
Your doctor can help diagnosis obesity. It is usually determined by Obesity by calculating Body Mass Index (BMI). Body mass index (BMI) is calculated based on height and weight ratio. A BMI of thirty or more defines obesity.
What are the risks / complications of obesity?
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Infertility.
- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke.
- Certain cancers (breast, colon, and endometrial).
- Gallbladder disease and fatty liver disease.
- High cholesterol.
- Sleep apnea and other breathing problems,
- Chronic lower back pain,
- Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, particularly of the knees,
Obesity and Mental Health.
Obesity and mental health have a complex and two-way relationship. Obesity can affect mental health by increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. This may be due to the effects of weight discrimination, low self-esteem, or biological changes in the brain. Mental health problems can also affect obesity by reducing motivation to exercise, changing eating habits, or causing side effects from medications.
What are the treatment options for obesity?
Lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise or diet alterations are the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is occasionally recommended and most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Talk with our GP or nutritionist to look at the steps you can take to address obesity and become a healthy weight.
Nutrition - foods to eat:
- Choose minimally processed, whole foods.
- Whole grains (whole wheat, steel cut oats, brown rice, quinoa).
- Vegetables (a colorful variety).
- Whole fruits (not fruit juices).
- Nuts, seeds, beans, and other healthy sources of protein (fish and poultry).
- Plant oils (olive and other vegetable oils).
Foods to avoid:
- Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks).
- Fruit juice (no more than a small amount per day).
- Refined grains (white bread, white rice, white pasta) and sweets.
- Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meats (salami, ham, bacon, sausage).
References