Obesity

Obesity

Obesity, characterized by excess body fat, differs from being overweight, which simply means exceeding the ideal weight for one's height. Being overweight can stem from various factors, including surplus muscle, bone, or water, not just excess fat.

Both terms indicate that an individual's weight exceeds what is considered healthy for their height.

Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors

Consuming more calories than the body expends leads to obesity as unused calories are stored as fat. Obesity may result from:

• Overeating
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Inadequate physical activity

Many obese individuals who experience significant weight loss followed by regain often blame themselves for lacking willpower. However, biological factors, rather than solely personal choices, play a significant role in weight management. Genetics and physiological mechanisms regulating weight contribute to variations in individuals' susceptibility to obesity.

Other factors influencing weight include:

• Long-term dietary habits established during childhood
• Modern lifestyle factors promoting sedentary behavior and limited physical activity

Eating disorders, characterized by unhealthy preoccupations with food, dieting, and body image, may coexist with obesity.

Certain medical conditions or treatments may trigger weight gain, such as:

• Hypothyroidism
• Medications like birth control pills, antidepressants, and antipsychotics

Other factors contributing to weight gain include:

• Smoking cessation, which may lead to initial weight gain
• Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, or poor sleep quality

In women:

• Menopause-related weight gain
• Failure to shed pregnancy weight postpartum

Signs and Tests

Healthcare providers typically conduct a physical examination and inquire about medical history, eating habits, and exercise routines. Common methods to assess health risks associated with weight include:

• Body mass index (BMI)
• Waist circumference

BMI, calculated using height and weight, estimates body fat levels, while waist circumference reflects central obesity and is associated with increased risks of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

Adopting an active lifestyle, regular exercise, and healthy eating habits constitute the cornerstone of weight management. Gradual, sustainable weight loss improves overall health. Support from family and friends, coupled with long-term behavioral changes, enhances the success of lifestyle modifications.

Dietary changes should focus on establishing healthy eating patterns and portion control. Consulting a dietitian helps in setting realistic calorie goals and learning about nutritious food choices, snack options, and reading nutrition labels.

Extreme diets with very low calorie intake are ineffective and unsafe. Instead, gradual weight loss through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity is more sustainable.

Learning stress management techniques and seeking professional help for depression or chronic stress facilitate healthy weight management.

Medications and Herbal Remedies

Prescription weight loss drugs may aid in weight reduction, but they are typically not a long-term solution. These medications are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthy diet.

Surgery

Bariatric surgery is an option for individuals with severe obesity who have not achieved weight loss through other means. It reduces the risk of obesity-related complications like diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. However, surgery requires commitment to postoperative dietary and lifestyle changes to maintain weight loss and avoid complications.

Common weight-loss surgeries include laparoscopic gastric banding and gastric bypass surgery, which may have associated risks and complications.