Obesity

General or Other | General Practice | Obesity (Disease)


Description

Obesity is a medical condition in which a patient has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a negative effect on their health. It increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Causes and Risk factors

Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. If a persons bodyweight is at least 20% higher than it should be, he or she is considered obese. If their Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 25 and 29. 9 they are considered overweighted. If their BMI is 30 or over they are considered obese. Also, there are 3 types of obesity: severe obesity (BMI = 35 or 40) morbid obesity ( BMI of = 35 or 40–44. 9 or 49. 9), super obesity (BMI of = 45 or 50).

Obesity increases the risk of many physical and mental conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels. Research carried out at Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick proved that sleep deprivation significantly increases obesity risk both in adults and in children. If you do not sleep enough you produce Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Lack of sleep also results in your body producing less Leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite.

At an individual level, a combination of excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity is thought to explain most cases of obesity. A limited number of cases are due primarily to genetics, medical reasons, or psychiatric illness. In contrast, increasing rates of obesity at a societal level are felt to be due to an easily accessible and palatable diet, increased reliance on cars, and mechanized manufacturing.

Diagnosis and Treatment

All weight-loss programs require changes in your eating habits and increased physical activity. The treatment methods that are right for you depend on your level of obesity, your overall health and your willingness to participate in your weight-loss plan. ...