WHAT IS OVERWEIGHT OR OBESITY?
According to the World Health Organization, Overweight and obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to a person’s health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight. A Body Mass Index of over 30 is obese. Obesity has grown to epidemic proportions. We have over 4 million people dying each year as a result of being overweight or obese (global burden of disease).
Rates of overweight and obesity continue to grow in adults and children. Globally, Obesity has grown fourfold from 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016. This is prevalent among adolescents and children aged 5–19 years.. And this trend is not abating.
An overweight or obese person is 83% more likely to develop chronic diseases. The Chronic diseases include: Kidney disease, fatty liver disease, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure , stroke etc. Obesity pre-disposes an individual to a high risk of cancer. Obesity or overweight can cause premature death.
What causes obesity and overweight?
The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Globally, there has been:
- an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars; and
- an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization.
What are common health consequences of overweight and obesity?
Raised BMI is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as:
- cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), which were the leading cause of death in 2012;
- diabetes;
- musculoskeletal disorders (especially osteoarthritis – a highly disabling degenerative disease of the joints);
- some cancers (including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon).
The risk for these noncommunicable diseases increases, with increases in BMI.
Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity. it also associated with premature death. Childhood Obesity is associated with disability in adulthood. Childhood obesity leads to increased future risks. Obese children experience breathing difficulties. They are prone to increased risk of fractures. Obese children are prone to hypertension. They have early markers of cardiovascular disease. They are proned to insulin resistance and psychological effects.
With all these issues, what can one do? The answer is to lose weight
Losing weight has both medical and lifestyle benefits:
Lifestyle/Psychological Benefits
- More active social life
- Greater confidence
- Better sleep
- Improved energy
- Improved sex life
- Decreased stress
- Improved body image
- Improved vitality
- Improved mood
Medical Benefits
- Decreased risk of diabetes
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Decreased risk of heart disease
- Decreased risk of certain cancers
- Improved mobility
- Decreased joint pain
- Improved blood sugar levels
- Decreased risk of stroke
- Reduced back pain
- Decreased risk or improvement in symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Decreased risk or improvement in symptoms of sleep apnea
To improve our quality of living if overweight or obese, we need to shed some pounds or Kilograms to improve the quality of our life.