HEALTH RISKS OF OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT

Obesity is more than a cosmetic concern; it is an illness related to excess body fat. Obesity is a medical condition that can potentially increase the risks associated with other chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

There are many potential reasons for being obese or overweight or having trouble losing weight, ranging from genetics, lifestyle, and physiological and environmental factors combined with diet, physical activity, health condition, and exercise. The best part about obesity is that it is manageable and can be treated by adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a more nutritious diet, increased physical activity, and behavior changes.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used method for men and women to check their weight for height. WHO defines overweight and obesity measures for adults as follows:

• BMI greater than or equal to 25 is considered overweight
• BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obese

Doctors believe that it is essential to control and check your body weight from time to time and take measures to tackle obesity as it can lead to other chronic health problems causing life-threatening situations. Additionally, obesity is the root cause affecting the quality of life, leading to psychological issues like depression and low self-esteem.

What are the causes of obesity and overweight?

The fundamental cause of being obese and overweight are highlighted below:

• More consumption of calories and less burning of calories
• An increased intake of processed food or foods which are high in fat and sugars
• A decline in physical inactivity and more dependence on a sedentary lifestyle

Obesity is becoming a widespread problem for many people living in urban cities and adopting a modern and sedentary lifestyle involving excessive eating of fast & processed food, long sitting hours, and lack of physical activity.

How to Treat Obesity?

The best way to treat obesity is to eat healthily and exercise regularly, and this can be achieved as highlighted below:

• Consuming a well-balanced diet in terms of fewer calories intake as recommended by the nutritionist or a dietician
• Perform at least 30 minutes of physical activity and 75 minutes of intense weekly exercise
• Chew slowly or eat slowly and exercise caution in terms of overeating
• In extreme cases, eat medicines as recommended by your doctor

We all know that obesity is not a problem but can become a leading cause of additional health problems, which can cause difficulty with daily activities as mentioned below:

• Snoring
• Breathlessness
• Excessive Sweating
• Challenges in Physical Activity
• Feeling of being tired most of the time
• Pain in Joints and Self-esteem

Losing weight is a time taking process, and it takes much commitment and dedication to achieve it fully. Healthcare professionals advise us to check and monitor our weight regularly and set realistic and achievable goals for achieving a healthy weight. Another critical fact to note is that reducing weight by 2-3% can significantly make you feel healthier and reduces your chances of developing obesity-related health problems.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals that have expertise in writing for healthcare. In case of any doubts related to obesity, overweight, and other health issues related to obesity, we strictly advise you to visit the doctor, who may guide you better and provide the treatment as and when needed.