WHAT IS OBESITY AND WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES?

Obesity is a situation in which body fat accumulates to a very high extent affecting the health. A person is determined overweight or under weight after calculations based on BMI (Body mass index). Obesity is not a disease by itself but it causes many diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, breathing difficulties etc that is why chronic disease management of obesity is something which has to be given due concern.

Following are the various factors that cause obesity:

1. DIET: The calorie content in diets followed by persons has a strong influence in obesity. Consumption of sweetened drinks is a major cause of obesity. Foods containing high amount of fat is also a major cause.

2. LIFESTYLE: Lack of enough physical activities is a major cause. People leading a sedentary life style and having long hours of sleeps are found more likely to have obesity.

3. GENETICS: Another important factor. Off springs of obese parents are more likely to have obesity.

4. USE OF MEDICINES: Medicines used for many diseases especially stress relieving medicines cause obesity.

EFFECTS OF OBESITY THAT PROVE TO BE FATAL:

Obesity is one of the leading cause of death. At the same time it is the most preventable chronic disease. Therefore chronic disease management of obesity can save many human lives a year.

The following are the main effects of obesity on human health:

1. Mortality: The relative risk for death increases with body mss index as revealed by many studies. Body mass index having a value higher than 27 is injurious to health.

2. Obesity increase the risk of many physical and emotional illness. Many diseases such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high tri glyceride levels etc are caused by obesity.

HOW CAN OBESITY BE TREATED AND PREVENTED?

Treatment strategy for chronic disease management of obesity mainly follows weight loss programs. Maintenance of obesity is followed strictly under the care of a nutritionist and physical trainer.

Strategy of a successful weight loss program includes the following steps:

1. Diet: A low fat, high fiber diet is followed. 

2. Changes in eating habits which include number of meals and timing of meals.

3. Exercise schedules under a good instructor.

4. Proper medications.  

 

This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 12:22 pm and is filed under Obesity. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.