Is obesity knocking on your door?
Obesity is the chronic condition due to the excess amount of fats present in our body. Body fat is considered as an important component in the human body because it helps us in storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and in other body functions. But, when the body fat is found more then its requirement then it is referred as obesity, which is a source of different diseases.
Obesity is not a disease in itself but can be the reason of developing other severe diseases. Obesity generally develops in the lack of physical exercise, poor diet and consumption of high calorie containing foods. A recent survey done on obesity shows that, over 1 billion people being classed as obese worldwide. Today obesity is a major health problem seen in adults and children’s. In US one in the three people is found obese.
How to calculate your body fat?
Body mass index:
Body mass index is widely used and standard way to measure the obesity. It is considered as a scientific way of measurement. BMI is calculated by dividing the weight by the height squares. If the result is found above 30 then you are considered as obese. If the BMI is found above 25 then you are overweight. But, BMI is found wrong in many cases because it fails to differentiate between muscle mass and body fat.
Calculating BMI
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Example: |
For a person who is 5 feet 5 inches tall weighing 149 lbs. |
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Step 1. |
Multiply weight (in pounds) by 703 |
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Step 2. |
Multiply height (in inches) by height (in inches) |
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Step 3. |
Divide the answer in step 1 by the answer in step 2 to get your BMI. BMI = 25 (rounded off) |
Complications in pregnancy:
Obesity in pregnant women is critical because the probability of developing gestational diabetes is high. Obese women are more likely to have problems with labor and delivery. Obesity also increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Is obesity knocking on your door?
If you are standing on the following points then obesity is surely knocking your door.
Genetics:
The cause of obesity is also genetic. Genes are seen to affect the hormones in our body which leads to obesity. Leptin is a major reason for obesity because it is a hormone that is produced by our fat cells. The Leptin controls our body weight by signaling the brain to eat less when body fat stores are too high. If, for some reason the body cannot produce enough Leptin, or Leptin cannot signal the brain to eat less, this control is lost, and obesity occurs.
Eating habit:
Some people have eating habit even if they are not hungry. This is a bad habit and easily leads to obesity. If the food contains high calorie and fats then obesity is sure. Body needs to burn the food that we consume so we should only provide that amount of food which is actually required by the body and not more then that. If these foods are not burn out by our physical exercises then they leads to obesity. Its better to quit these habits before it leads to obesity and other diseases.
Slow metabolism:
It is true that women have slower metabolism then men. Women have less muscle as compared to men. These muscles helps to burn the food and calories we eat, so weight loss is slower in women then in men. Even when we grow old we tend to loose muscles and the body metabolism of burning the food is slower.
Null physical activity:
Physical activity is the most to reduce the unnecessary fats or to avoid obese. We can see that athletics and body builders aren’t obese and it’s because of their physical activity. Physical activity helps to burn the fats in a natural way which is the basic necessity for healthy body management. Null physical activity leads to diabetes, heart problems and obesity.
Poor diets:
Diets also play an important role to develop obesity. A balanced diet always leads to healthy life but a poor diet with high calorie and fats leads to developments of unnecessary fats in our body. Therefore, it’s good to focus in our diets to reduce obesity and its impacts. Diet included with fruits and vegetables are better to reduce obesity and other diseases.
If you belong to any of above mentioned points then you are likely to have obesity. But, obesity can be reduced and avoided with good physical exercise, better diet and being health conscious.
Is drug enough?
Medication and drugs are found to be an effective method of reducing weight in a short period of time. Medications if used properly then at least 5 pounds of weight can be reduced in a month. But, medication are only suggested to those obese people whose obese is now critical or when every means of loosing weight fails then medications are prescribed.
These medications usually decrease the appetite or they decrease the appetite by increasing serotonin or catecholamine to brain chemicals that affects the mood of appetite. But, the risk of side effects of these medications is high. Even doctors prescribe these medications only to those obese people who are in critical conditions.
Medications are only suggested to those people whose BMI is greater then 30 or of those people having BMI more then 27 who have other medical problems like: diabetes, high blood pressure etc.
Is surgery a permanent solution?
Obesity surgery is the last stage known for weight reduction. The surgery is found critical and is expensive too. Doctors prescribe surgery only when the person is found to be in life threatening stage. Obese people with high blood sugar level and blood pressure or every means of weight loss when fails then the procedure of surgery in done.
Some surgery related with obesity:
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass:
The Gastric Bypass procedure is done by using a surgical stapler to cut across the upper stomach, leaving a tiny stomach pouch that empties food into a section of small intestine that the surgeon connects to it. This operation has been around for a long time and continues to be the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the United States. It helps patients achieve a lot of weight loss and it is reliable, but it is complex and sometimes surgically challenging.
Adjustable gastric banding:
During a Gastric Band procedure, the surgeon encircles the upper section of the stomach with a flexible plastic Band or “Belt.” The inside surface of the Band is a balloon; in the weeks and months after surgery the surgical team can inject saline fluid into the balloon to create a calibrated restriction on the stomach. The Band causes the least physical impact on the day of surgery, but it requires very extensive follow-up to help it work the best for each individual patient.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy:
The Gastric Sleeve is done by using a surgical stapler to remove the large reservoir component of the stomach, leaving behind a long narrow tube of stomach. This operation appears to help patients achieve a very helpful level of weight loss, while being simpler than the Gastric Bypass and easier to maintain than the Gastric Band. However, the Gastric Sleeve has only been in use since about 2004 and surgeons are not yet certain that the weight loss is sustained over many years.
These above mentioned surgeries are done under professionals and doctors observations and are good for obesity reduction but if healthy diets and physical exercises are not continued after the surgery then the risk of developing obesity is remains.
5 better ways for slim and healthy body:
Lose extra weight:
Lose extra weight because obese is the doorway to disease. Losing your weight will gradually carry improvement in your health and builds immune. Consult your doctor for better plan and support.
Fiber food:
Fiber foods are really good for health. They help in blood circulation in our body. They also manage the level of glucose in our body. These foods contain low fats and help you to fill your appetite without consuming unnecessary fats and cholesterol. Fiber food is very good for heart patient too.
Physical exercise:
This is important not only for obese people but for everyone. Physical exercise helps to burn our fats which are harmful when they exceed their need in the body. Physical exercise also maintains excellent blood circulation.
Quit smoking:
Smoking is harmful but still we smoke. But, smoking not only cause cancers but it also develops type2 diabetes. Some research has shown that smoking helps to grow unnecessary fats in our body that leads to obesity. So it’s better to quit now?
Drink water:
If you can drink at least 5 liters of water per day it’s excellent. This is an excellent idea to keep you safe from all types of diseases. Lemon water is the best because it helps to cut the fat in a natural way.
Source:
http://www.phmc.org/chdb/obesitygraphs.htm
http://whyfiles.org/067fat/2.html
http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/OBESITY/OBESITY.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/obesity_weight_loss/page2.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/artic/do_you_know_the_health_risks_of_being_overweight_niddk.htm
