Obesity-Causes, Symptoms and Prevention
What is obesity?
Obesity is a treatable health condition resulting from excessive accumulation of fat in the body. A Disorder that increases the risk of health problems. This term can also be known as overweight.
According to the center for disease Control and Prevention(CDC), a body mass index of 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. According to the global burden of disease, the issue has grown to epidemic proportions, with over 4 million people dying in 2017 as a result of being obese or overweight.
Obesity and overweight are just not predominant in adults but there has been a growth in the rate in both adults and children. The prevalence of overweight or obese children and adolescents aged 15–19 years increased more than four-fold from 4% to 18% globally from 1975 to 2016.
Obesity Facts
A huge fact about obesity is that there are approximately 2 in 5 adults in the US living with obesity.
More Than one-Third of American children and teens are overweight or obese, According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Children with obesity are at higher risk for having other chronic health conditions and diseases that impact physical health.
Children with obesity are bullied and teased more than their normal-weight peers and are more likely to suffer from social isolation, depression, and low self-esteem.
What Is “Morbid Obesity”?
The term “morbid obesity” refers to obesity that is “sufficient to prevent normal activity or physiologic function,” according to Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. Morbid obesity is usually identified as a BMI of 40 or greater.
Morbid obesity is a growing health concern in many developed countries of the world today, particularly in the United States.
When a person is 100 pounds over optimal body weight, with a BMI of 40 or more (in the Extremely Obese category) he or she is considered morbidly obese.
A person experiencing health conditions related to obesity (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) with a BMI of 35 or more, is also considered morbidly obese.
Morbid obesity can cause a person to struggle with everyday activities such as walking and can impair bodily functions such as breathing. It also puts a person at high risk for many other serious health conditions.
Who is at Risk For Obesity?
Certain populations tend to have higher rates of obesity. Overweight and obesity are often accompanied by other chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, certain cancers, and arthritis.
Rural populations with a higher risk of obesity include those who are:
Age 60 and above
Low-income
Caucasians living in Appalachia
Latino migrant farmworkers
American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living on reservations
African-Americans living in the south
It is important to consider the needs of specific population groups when creating or tailoring your rural obesity prevention program.
The Different Types of Obesity
the are multiple classifications of obesity.
1) Depending on the area of fat deposition, there are three forms of obesity…
a. Peripheral: Accumulation of excess fat in the hips, Buttocks and Thighs.
b. Central: Accumulation of fat in the Abdominal Area.
c. Combination of both peripheral and central obesity.
The abdominal area is considered the most dangerous area for the accumulation of fat because it is closely located to the vital organs and their blood supply.
2) Depending on the association with other diseases, there are two types.
a. Type-1 Obesity: it is not caused by any disease. it is due to excessive intake of calories and lack of physical activities.
b. Type-2 obesity: it is caused by a disease (like Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian disease, and insulinoma, and some internal secretion diseases). it accounts for less than 1% of obesity cases and is observed that there is abnormal weight gain with type-2 obesity even on little intake of food.
3) Depending on the size and number of fat cells, Obesity can be divided into
a. Adult-type: In this type of obesity, only the size of fat cells is increased, it may happen mostly in middle age.
b. Child-type: in this type of obesity, the number of fat cells is increased. it is extremely difficult to reduce the number of fat cells which are already made
Symptoms of Obesity
Obesity symptoms have been identified as a precursor to many serious, and sometimes fatal disorders. This also involves measurable benchmarks, designed to evaluate the percentage of body fat; these calculations are used by the healthcare provider when diagnosing obesity.
The primary method for comparing the level of weight gain to the severity of obesity is a specific measurement system called body mass index or BMI.
NB: Body mass index is a way of measuring fat content in the body, based on the ratio of height versus weight.
Frequent Symptoms
Although gaining a few extra pounds may seem insignificant as far as a person’s overall health is concerned, weight gain can quickly escalate to a serious medical condition.
Frequent Symptoms for Adults
Symptoms of obesity can negatively impact one’s daily life. For adults, frequent symptoms include:
*Excess body fat accumulation (particularly around the waist)
*Shortness of breath
*Sweating (more than usual)
*Snoring
*Trouble sleeping
*Skin problems (from moisture accumulating in the folds of skin)
*Inability to perform simple physical tasks (that one could easily perform before weight gain)
*Fatigue (from mild to extreme)
*Pain (commonly in the back and joints)
*Psychological impact (negative self-esteem, depression, shame, social isolation)
*Frequent Symptoms for Children and Adolescents
Common symptoms of childhood obesity may include:
*Eating disorders
*Fatty tissue deposits (may be noticeable in the breast area)
*The appearance of stretch marks on the hips and back
*Acanthosis nigricans (dark velvety skin around the neck and other areas)
*Shortness of breath with physical activity
*Sleep apnea
*Constipation
*GI reflux
*Poor self-esteem
*Early puberty in girls/delayed puberty in boys
*Orthopedic problems (such as flat feet or dislocated hips)
Rare Symptoms
Early-onset obesity can develop in kids due to several rare genetic disorders involving genes that play a vital role in regulating appetite and energy expenditure, these include:
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) deficiency obesity: Key symptoms include hyperphagia (extreme hunger) starting during infancy, early-onset obesity, and hormonal problems (such as adrenal insufficiency).
Leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency obesity: Key symptoms include hyperphagia, severe early-onset obesity, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (a condition in which the male testes or the female ovaries produce little or no sex hormones, due to a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus).
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS): Key symptoms include early-onset obesity, hyperphagia, vision impairment, polydactyly (having an extra finger or toe), and kidney impairment.
What Causes Obesity?
Obesity is generally caused by eating too much and moving too little…
If you eat up high amounts of energy, particularly fat and sugars, but do not burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity, much of the surplus energy will be stored by the body as fat.
We can classify the causes based on;
Calories, Poor Diet, Lack of Physical Activity Genetics and Medical Reasons.
Medical Reasons
In Some cases, underlying medical conditions may contribute to weight gain.
These include:
Cushing’s syndrome- a rare disorder that causes the overproduction of steroid hormones.
An underactive thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones(hypothyroidism) -where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.
However, if conditions such as these are properly diagnosed and treated, they should pose less of a barrier to weight loss.
Weight gain can sometimes be a side effect of stopping Smoking.
Genetic Causes
Some people claim there’s no point trying to lose weight because “it runs in my family” or “it’s in my genes”.
While some rare genetic conditions can cause obesity, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, there’s no reason why most people cannot lose weight.
It may be true that certain genetic traits inherited from your parents — such as having a large appetite — may make losing weight more difficult, but it certainly does not make it impossible.
In many cases, obesity is more to do with environmental factors, such as poor eating habits learned during childhood. I think this answers the question “Can obesity be genetic”?
Lack of physical activity
Lack of physical activity is another important factor related to obesity. Many people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for most of the day. They also rely on their cars, rather than walking or cycling.
Many people tend to watch TV, browse the internet or play computer games, and rarely take regular exercise for relaxation.
If you’re not active enough, you do not use the energy provided by the food you eat, and the extra energy you consume is stored by the body as fat.
The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week. This does not need to be done all in a single session, but can be broken down into smaller periods. For example, you could exercise for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.
If you’re obese and trying to lose weight, you may need to do more exercise than this. It may help to start slowly and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do each week.
Calories
The energy value of food is measured in units called calories. The average physically active man needs about 2,500 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight, and the average physically active woman needs about 2,000 calories a day.
This amount of calories may sound high, but it can be easy to reach if you eat certain types of food. For example, eating a large takeaway hamburger, fries and a milkshake can total 1,500 calories — and that’s just 1 meal. For more information, read our guide to understanding calories.
Another problem is that many people are not physically active, so lots of the calories they consume end up being stored in their bodies as fat.
Poor diet
Obesity does not happen overnight. It develops gradually over time, as a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices, such as:
eating large amounts of processed or fast food — that’s high in fat and sugar
drinking too much alcohol — alcohol contains a lot of calories, and people who drink heavily are often overweight
eating out a lot — you may be tempted to also have a starter or dessert in a restaurant, and the food can be higher in fat and sugar
eating larger portions than you need — you may be encouraged to eat too much if your friends or relatives are also eating large portions
drinking too many sugary drinks — including soft drinks and fruit juice
comfort eating — if you have low self-esteem or feel depressed, you may eat to make yourself feel better
Unhealthy eating habits tend to run in families. You may learn bad eating habits from your parents when you’re young and continue them into adulthood.
Stress, Emotional Factors, and Poor Sleep
Some people eat more than usual when they are bored, angry, upset, or stressed.
Studies also have found that the fewer people sleep, the more likely they are to be overweight or obese. This is Partly because hormones that are released during sleep control appetite and the body’s use of energy.
Foods that Causes Obesity
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
potatoes( baked or fried)
Red meat( beef pork, lamb) and processed meats (salami, ham, bacon, sausages).
These foods should not be avoided but you should limit the consumption.
How To Prevent Obesity
Preventing obesity plays an important role in good health. Obesity is associated with a long list of chronic health conditions, many of which become more difficult to treat over time. These conditions include:
metabolic syndrome
type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure
high triglycerides and low “good” cholesterol
heart disease
stroke
sleep apnea
gallbladder disease
sexual health issues
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
osteoarthritis
mental health conditions
By focusing on obesity prevention and lifestyle changes, it may be possible to slow or prevent the development of these diseases.
Obesity prevention for adults
Many of these obesity prevention tips are the same for losing or maintaining a healthy weight. The bottom line is that eating a healthy diet and getting more physical activity can help prevent obesity.
Consume less “bad” fat and more “good” fat
Contrary to the belief behind the low-fat diet craze of the ’90s, not all fat is bad. In 2017, a study published in the Nutrition Journal showed that intake of healthy dietary fats, such as polyunsaturated fats, can improve cholesterol levels and reduce obesity risk.
Consume less processed and sugary foods
According to a 2016 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods is linked to a higher risk of obesity. Many processed foods are high in fat, salt, and sugar, which can encourage overeating.
Eat more servings of vegetables and fruits
The daily recommendation for fruit and vegetable intake is five to nine servings per day for adults. Filling your plate with veggies and fruit can help keep calories reasonable and reduce the risk of overeating.
Eat plenty of dietary fiber
Studies continue to show that dietary fiber plays a role in weight maintenance. One 2012 trial found that people who took a fiber complex supplement three times daily for 12 weeks lost up to 5 per cent of their body weight.
Focus on eating low–glycemic index foods
The glycemic index (GI) is a scale used to measure how quickly a food item will raise your blood sugar. Focusing on low-GI foods can help keep blood sugar levels steadier. Keeping your blood glucose levels steady can help with weight management.
Get the family involved in your journey
Social support isn’t just for children and teens — it’s important for adults to feel supported too. Whether cooking with family or going on walks with friends, getting people involved can help to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Engage in regular aerobic activity
Incorporating regular physical activity into your schedule is important for maintaining or losing weight, among other benefits. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week.
Incorporate a weight training regimen
Weight training is just as important to weight maintenance as an aerobic activity. In addition to weekly aerobic activity, the WHO recommends weight training that involves all your major muscles at least two times per week.
Focus on reducing daily stress
Stress can have many effects on the body and mind. A 2012 study suggests that stress may trigger a brain response that changes eating patterns and leads to cravings for high-calorie foods. Eating too many high-calorie foods can contribute to the development of obesity.
Learn how to food budget and meal prep
It’s much easier to grocery shop for healthy foods when you have a plan. Creating a food budget and list for your shopping trips can help avoid temptations for unhealthy foods. In addition, prepping meals can allow you to have ready-to-go healthy meals.
Obesity prevention for Children
With almost 20% of children being obese. The childhood obesity numbers particularly worry us, because the effects of obesity accumulate over time. A child who is obese is more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and other complications of obesity earlier in life than someone who develops obesity in adulthood.
When we think about preventing obesity in children, we naturally tend to think of the children themselves. We think about doing everything we can to be sure they follow healthy lifestyle habits, in particular eating a healthy diet and getting exercise. This is important, but a new study suggests that the lifestyle habits of mothers are important too — perhaps even more important.
Using data from two long-running studies, the Nurses’ Health Study and the Growing Up Today Study, researchers looked at associations between the lifestyle habits of mothers and the weights of their children and found that when mothers followed five health habits, their children were a startling 75% less likely to be obese.
The habits were:
Staying at a healthy weight. To figure out if a person’s weight is healthy, we use the body mass index (BMI), a calculation using height and weight. Having a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy.
2. Getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate or vigorous physical activity.
3. Not smoking (preferably never smoking).
4. Consuming some alcohol, but less than 15 grams a day. Interestingly, consuming some alcohol was better than consuming none. For reference, a “standard drink” of 14 g of alcohol would be 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.
5. Eating a healthy diet. The researchers used the Healthy Eating Index and defined a healthy diet as being in the top 40%. People in the top 40% eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids — and eat less red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, trans fats, and sodium.
