What is Obesity? How To Measure It

A person with a lot of body fat and who is overweight is called obese. Obesity is a common problem nowadays.

How to identify obesity

Body mass index is the most popular way to determine your healthy weight (BMI).

Your BMI determines a healthy weight for your height. To determine your score, use the NHS BMI healthy weight calculator.

An adult's typical BMI is:

• Your healthy weight range is between 18.5 and 24.9.

• You are overweight if your BMI is 25 to 29.9.

• 30 to 39.9 indicates you are obese.

• A BMI of 40 or higher indicates extreme obesity.

Because exceptionally muscular persons might have a high BMI without much fat, the BMI is rarely utilized to diagnose obesity.

However, for most people, BMI is a reliable indicator of a healthy weight.

Waist size, which can be used as an additional measurement in those who are overweight (with a BMI of 25 to 29.9) or moderately obese, is a more vital indicator of excess fat (with a BMI of 30 to 34.9).

Generally speaking, men with waist sizes of 94 cm or more significant and women with waist sizes of 80 cm or greater are more prone to experience health issues associated with obesity.

Obesity risks

It's crucial to take action to combat obesity since, in addition to evident physical changes, it can also result in a range of severe and even fatal illnesses.

These consist of the following:

• heart disease and type 2 diabetes

• certain cancers, including breast and bowel cancers and stroke

Additionally, being overweight can lower your quality of life and cause psychological issues, including sadness and low self-esteem.

Causes of obesity

Obesity is typically brought on by eating more calories than you burn off via exercise, especially those found in fatty and sugary meals. The body stores the extra energy as fat. Because many individuals in modern society consume excessive amounts of inexpensive, high-calorie food and spend a lot of time sitting at computers, on couches, or in cars, obesity is becoming a more widespread issue.

Additionally, some underlying medical diseases, such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), might, on occasion, lead to weight gain. However, if these conditions are successfully treated with medication, they typically do not result in weight issues.

Obesity Treatment

Eating a nutritious calorie-reduced diet and exercising are excellent ways to manage obesity.

For this, you need to:

• Follow a balanced, calorie-restricted diet as advised by a doctor or other health expert in weight reduction management (such as a dietitian)

• Take up 150 to 300 minutes (2.5 to 5 hours) per week of physical activity, such as quick walking, jogging, swimming, or tennis. Eat slowly and avoid situations where you could be tempted to overeat.

• A skilled healthcare practitioner can provide psychological counselling to help you modify how you see food and eating.

• Orlistat may be suggested as a weight loss option if lifestyle modifications alone are ineffective.

• When properly ingested, this medication reduces the quantity of fat your body absorbs during digestion. If orlistat is suitable for you, your doctor can tell you.

• In some cases, surgery is recommended to treat obesity.

Other Issues Connected To Obesity

Numerous other issues, such as challenges with daily tasks and major health disorders, might result from obesity.

• Daily issues brought on by obesity include:

• Breathing difficulties, increased sweating, snoring, trouble engaging in physical activity, excessive fatigue, joint and back discomfort, low confidence and self-esteem, and a sense of isolation

• The psychological issues brought on by obesity may cause sadness and impact your relationships with friends and family.

Significant Health Issues Linked With Obesity

Your chance of getting a wide range of potentially serious health issues, such as:

• Type 2 diabetes and hypertension

• Asthma, excessive cholesterol, atherosclerosis (where fatty deposits narrow your arteries), which can cause coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity; and metabolic syndrome, several cancers, such as womb cancer, breast cancer, and bowel cancer

• Gallstones result from gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder (GORD), in which stomach acid spills into the gullet.

• lower fertility

• Osteoarthritis is a disorder that causes stiffness and discomfort in the joints.

• A sleep disorder called apnoea, which disrupts breathing while you sleep and increases your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, as well as daytime drowsiness and car accidents,

• both renal and liver dysfunction

• Pregnant women with a potentially hazardous rise in blood pressure may develop pregnancy problems like gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.

Depending on how severe it is, obesity affects life expectancy by an average of 3 to 10 years. According to estimates, obesity and being overweight cause at least 1 in 13 fatalities in Europe.

Wrap Up

Obesity cannot be treated quickly. Weight loss programs need dedication and time and are most effective when fully completed. The medical professionals engaged in your care should support you and offer suggestions on keeping off the weight you've lost. It is also beneficial to regularly track your weight, make attainable objectives, and involve your friends and family in your weight loss efforts.

Remember that even modest weight loss—3% or more of your starting weight—and lifelong maintenance of this weight can significantly lower your chance of acquiring obesity-related problems, including diabetes and heart disease.