Obesity is a complex and multifaceted health condition that is characterized by an
excessive accumulation of body fats (adipose tissue) which can have significant
negative effects on an individual’s overall health and well-being. Obesity is a long-
term (chronic) health condition that progresses over time. It has become a global
epidemic over the past few decades, with increasing prevalence in both developed
and developing countries. According to global burden of disease, over 4 million
people die each year as a result of being over weight or obese in 2017.
In adults, obesity is often defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or
more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Body
mass index (BMI) is a calculation that takes a person’s weight and height into
account to measure body size. Doctors typically use it as a screening tool for
obesity. According to the Center of Disease Control, “Factors such as age, sex,
ethnicity, and muscle mass can influence the relationship between BMI and body
fat. Body fat itself is not a disease, of course. But when your body has too much
extra fat, it can change the way it functions. These changes are progressive, can
worsen over time, and they can lead to adverse health effects.
Obesity is associated with a higher risk of developing serious diseases, including:
- type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- cancer
Classification of overweight and Obesity based on BMI
Adult Body Mass Index
BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A
high BMI can indicate high body fatness.
BMI obesity less than 18.5, falls within the underweight range.
BMI between 18.5 to <25, healthy weight range.
BMI between 25.0 to <30, overweight range.
BMI is 30.0 or higher, obesity range.
Obesity is frequently subdivided into categories:
Class 1: BMI of 30 to < 35 termed Mildly Obese
Class 2: BMI of 35 to < 40 termed Moderately Obese.
Class 3: BMI of 40 or higher. Severe or Morbid Obesity.
What causes obesity?
Asides from genetics, obesity most times is caused by taking in more calories than
you burn in daily activity and exercise. Over the time these extra calories add up
and cause extra weight gain.
Common specific causes of obesity include:
1. Genetics: Genetics can play a role in obesity, with some individuals being
more predisposed to gain weight due to their genes. Genetics can affect how
your body processes food into energy and how fat is stored.
2. Ageing: Growing older can lead to less muscle mass and a slower metabolic
rate, making it easier to gain weight. The lesser the rate at which metabolism
takes place in the body, the faster it is to gain weight.
3. Lifestyles: Lifestyles which include sedentary behavior such as prolonged
sitting and limited physical activity can contribute majorly to obesity. In
addition, not getting enough rest can lead to hormonal changes that make
you feel hungrier and crave certain high calorie foods and the higher the
amount of calories accumulated, the greater the risk for obesity.
4. Psychological Factors such as childhood trauma, depression and high stress
may trigger the production of hormones that cause you to eat more and store
more fat.
5. Pregnancy: Majority of women experience weight gain during pregnancy.
However, weight gained during pregnancy may be difficult to lose and might
eventually lead to obesity.
Certain health conditions can also lead to weight gain, which may lead to obesity.
Among the many conditions, the prevalent ones include;
- Metabolic Syndrome: a group of risk factors that include high blood
pressure, high blood sugar, high levels of triglycerides, low levels of HDL
cholesterol, and excess fat around your waist that raise your chance of
developing certain serious health conditions - Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare condition present at birth that causes excessive
hunger - Cushing Syndrome, a condition caused by having high level of cortisol (the
stress hormone) in the body system,
Implications of Obesity on Overall Health
- Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity specifically raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes
seven-fold in people assigned male at birth and 12-fold in people assigned
female at birth. The risk increases by 20% for every additional point you
gain on the BMI scale. It also diminishes with weight loss. - Cardiovascular Diseases: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood
sugar and inflammation are all risk factors for cardiovascular diseases,
including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart
attack and stroke. These risks increase hand-in-hand with your BMI.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. - Fatty Liver Disease. Excess fats circulating in your blood make their way to
your liver, which is responsible for filtering your blood. When your liver
begins storing excess fat, it can lead to chronic liver inflammation (hepatitis)
and long-term liver damage (cirrhosis). - Kidney Disease: High blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease are among
the most common contributors to chronic kidney disease. - Gallstones: Higher blood cholesterol levels can cause cholesterol to
accumulate in your gallbladder, leading to cholesterol gallstones and
potential gallbladder diseases.
Excess body fat can crowd the organs of your respiratory system and put stress and
strain on your musculoskeletal system. This contributes to:
- Asthma.
- Sleep Apnea.
- Obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
- Back pain.
- Gout.
How to Manage Obesity
- Dietary changes: The dietary changes you will need to make will be
individual to you. Some people may benefit from cutting portion sizes or
snacks between meals. For others, it may be more of changing what they eat
instead of how much they eat. More so, almost everyone can benefit from
eating plants and plant products. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and
legumes tend to be lower in fat and higher in fiber and micronutrients. They
are more nutritious and can make you more fuller and more satisfied after
eating fewer calories - Increased activity: Diet and exercise are both important to weight loss and
weight maintenance. However, exercise does not have to mean a gym
membership. Just walking at a moderate pace is one of the most efficient
types of exercise for weight loss. A daily work at lunch time or before or
after work can make a real difference. - Behavioral Therapies: Counseling, support groups and methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy may have a role to play in supporting your weigh loss journey. These methods can help rewire your brain to support positive changes. They can also help you manage stress and address emotional and psychological factors that may be working against you.
- Medication and Surgery: Your healthcare provider may recommend medications to use in conjunction with surgery and other treatments especially in severe cases. You should note that medications are not the whole answer to weight loss, but they can help tackle it from another angle.
Can Obesity be Prevented?
Preventing obesity is much easier than treating it once it has taken hold. Once your
body has established a new high “set point”, it will consider it to be your new
baseline for weight. Your body works to modulate your hunger signals and energy
expenditure to maintain the same body mass, in spite of your weight-loss
intentions. If you have noticed a pattern of recent weight gain in your life or in
your child, or if you have a family history of obesity, you might want to take steps
to intervene sooner rather than later. Examining your habit now and making
changes can help you prevent future obesity and weight loss struggles.
For example:
- Make a small sacrifice: Do you have a daily snack habit or “pick me up”,
such as a sugary drink that is high in calorie? Then consider replacing it. Just
150 extra calorie a day can add up to 10 extra pounds in a year. That is equal
to a snack-size bag of potato chip, or just two double-stuffed Oreos. - Add a small activity: Alternatively, consider what you can do to spend
extra 150 calories in a day. For example, go for a hike or prioritize a
morning jug. - Shop intentionally: Stock your home with healthy food and save sweets
and treats for special occasions when you go out. Whole foods are higher in
fiber and lower in glycemic index, so they do not cause your blood sugar to
spike and drop the way processed snacks and treats do. - Cultivate overall wellness: Reduce your screen time, go outside and go for
a work. Manage your stress and try to get adequate sleep to keep your
hormone levels in check, Focus on positive changes and healthy activities
rather than how your efforts affect your weight.
In conclusion, obesity is a complex health issue with widespread implications for
individuals and society as a whole. Addressing and preventing obesity require a
multifaceted approach that includes lifestyle changes, policy interventions, and
social awareness. Obesity is better prevented than managed.
REFERENCES
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-
obesity
https://www.healthline.com/health/obesity/managing-obesity-health-
risks#pregnancycomplications
https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity#tab=tab_1