Obesity and Overweight.WHAT IS OBESITY? Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. People are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of the person’s height in meters, exceeds 30 kg/m2. |
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Why do people become Obese?
_Sleep
deprivation may lead to obesity through increased appetite as a result of
hormonal changes. If you do not sleep enough you produce Ghrelin, a hormone
that stimulates appetite. Lack of sleep also results in your body producing
less Leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite.
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Health Risk associated with Overweight
Bone and cartilage degeneration (Osteoarthritis)
Coronary heart disease Gallbladder disease High blood pressure (Hypertension) High total cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia) Respiratory problems Several cancers Sleep apnea Stroke Diabetes mellitus type 2 References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/obesity/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314 Treatments for obesity:
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Click and watch the video for further explanation and understanding of obesity.
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DIETARY CHANGES
Obese people should reduce their total daily calorie intake. They need to consume more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The consumption of sugar, certain refined carbohydrates and some fats should be reduced significantly.
Crash-dieting is not advisable because it may lead to the development of some health problems; it can also lead to vitamin deficiencies; and the chances of failure are significantly higher. Losing weight slowly and constantly is the secret to become successful in keeping your weight down when you have reached your target weight.
Ideally, you should work with your doctor, a dietician, and/or a well-known weight-loss program.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The more you move your body the more calories you burn. To lose a kilogram of fat you need to burn 8,000 calories (1 pound of fat = 3,500 calories). Walking briskly is a good way to start increasing your physical activity if you are obese. Combining increased physical activity with a good diet will significantly increase your chances of losing weight successfully and permanently.
If you are very obese, unfit, or have some health problems, make sure you check with a health care professional before increasing your physical activity.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS FOR LOSING WEIGHT
Prescription medications should really only be considered as a last resort. If the patient finds it extremely hard to shed the pounds, or if his obesity has reached such a point as to significantly undermine his health, then prescription drugs may become an option.
Prescription medications should only be considered if:
- Other strategies to lose weight have failed.
- The patient’s BMI is over 27 and he also has diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.
- The patient’s BMI is over 30.
There are two approved drugs a physician may consider, Sibutramine or Orlistat (Xenical). Bear in mind that as soon as you stop taking these drugs the overweight problem generally comes back - they have to be taken indefinitely. Some patients may not respond to these drugs, while others may find their beneficial effects may lessen somewhat after a few months.
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY (BARIATRIC SURGERY)
Basically, bariatric surgery alters your stomach or small intestine so that you are unable to consume much food in one sitting. This reduces the total number of calories you consume each day, thus helping to lose weight. References: http://www.medicinenet.com/obesity_weight_loss/page3.htm http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Obesity.aspx |
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