#95 Obesity

OBESITY

Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is healthy. If you are obese, you also have a much higher amount of body fat than is healthy or desirable.
Adults with a body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) between 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 are considered overweight.
Adults with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 are considered obese.
Anyone who is more than 100 pounds overweight or who has a BMI greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Taking in more calories than you burn leads to being overweight and, eventually, obesity. The body stores unused calories as fat. Obesity can be the result of:

• Eating more food than your body can use
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Not getting enough exercise

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) may lead to 5 - 10 pounds of weight gain. Some antidepressants and antipsychotic medicines may also contribute to weight gain and obesity. Genetic factors play some part in the development of obesity -- children of obese parents are 10 times more likely to be obese than children with parents of normal weight.
People who are at higher risk for obesity include:

• Lower income groups
• Former smokers
• People with chronic mental illness
• People with disabilities
• People with a sedentary lifestyle

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, eating habits, and exercise routine.
Skin fold measurements may be taken to check your body fat percentage.
Blood tests may be done to look for thyroid or endocrine problems, which could lead to weight gain.

Treatment

Regular exercise and a healthy diet are crucial when it comes to controlling your weight. Although there are many programs advertised to help you lose weight, the only method proven safe over the long-term is to burn more calories than you consume.
Exercising and eating right must become as much a part of your routine as bathing and brushing your teeth. Unless you are convinced of the benefits, you will not succeed.
DIET
Most people can lose weight by eating a healthier diet and exercising more. Even modest weight loss can improve your health. Sticking to a weight reduction program is not easy. You will need a lot of support from family and friends.
When dieting, your main goal should be to learn new, healthy ways of eating and make them a part of your everyday routine. Learn to read the nutrition labels and ingredients of all the foods you eat.
Work with your health care provider and dietitian to set realistic, safe daily calorie counts that help you lose weight while staying healthy. Remember that if you drop pounds slowly and steadily, you are more likely to keep them off. Your dietitian can teach you about healthy food choices, portion sizes, and new ways to prepare food.
Extreme diets (fewer than 1,100 calories per day) are not thought to be safe or to work very well.

• These types of diets often do not contain enough vitamins and minerals.
• People who are on these diets may experience symptoms such as fatigue, feeling cold most of the time, hair loss, or dizziness.
• There is a risk for gallbladder stones, changes in menstrual periods, and rarely, dangerous heart rhythms.
• Most people who lose weight this way return to overeating and become obese again.

See also: Sweeteners
Other changes can have an impact on your weight loss success:

• Eat only at the table. No snacking in front of the TV, in bed, while driving, or while standing in front of the open refrigerator.
• Learn about appropriate portion sizes.
• Choose low-calorie snacks, such as raw vegetables.
• Learn new ways to manage stress, rather than snacking. Examples may be meditation, yoga, or exercise.
• Keep a diet and exercise journal. This may help you identify overeating triggers in your life.
• If you are depressed, seek medical treatment rather than eating excessively to help cope with your depression.
• Find a support group or consider psychotherapy to help you achieve your weight loss goal.