As we embark on this new phase of The Lifestyle Mania, we thank you for joining us. How to deal with obesity is the topic of today's discussion. To combat childhood obesity, the United Kingdom took a major and necessary step when it announced that it would outlaw "guilt lanes" in supermarket checkout aisles, so-named because children constantly pester their parents to buy candy and junk food there.
To fight obesity, UK leaders announced in 2018 that by the end of the year they would remove candy from checkout lanes and also end promotional discounts for junk food. To do so is justified by the fact people tend to choose sugary and fattening foods when making impulsive food choices.
Recent recommendations from the UK Parliament include a ban on television advertising of sugary and salty foods before 9 p.m. Hunger and overeating can be prevented by limiting messages that remind people that "there's always time to eat."
Researchers found that more than 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women were either overweight or obese in one of the largest studies ever conducted on obesity rates around the world. Even traditionally lean Asian populations are becoming obese.
Obesity is defined as being excessively fat or overweight. Basically, it's a medical condition where body fat builds up and negatively impacts health.
The obesity epidemic was confined to developed countries like the United States and Europe before the 21st Century. It is important to note that today, obesity is a problem in developing countries as well. Nearly 5 percent of India's population is obese. This is due to the rise in middle-class incomes and the advent of global food markets. Another factor contributing to the disease burden is the recent change in work patterns in our country. Tobacco use, increased caloric intake and genetic predispositions contribute to obesity.
What is Obesity?
Numerous people don't think of being overweight as an illness; they view it as something of a moral failing. Harvard Medical School instructor and Massachusetts General Hospital weight centre physician Dr. Fatima Stanford, however, says obesity is a chronic and multifaceted illness. How the body stores energy is explained in Stanford's recent fascinating presentation. It also explains how genetic, developmental and hormonal factors as well as the environment and behaviour all interact to cause obesity.
When fat inside the body accumulates in excess proportion such that it leads to negative health effects, the condition is called obesity. This is calculated by a parameter called Body Mass Index {BMI}, a measurement that is obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of person's height. When BMI is between 25- 30kg/sq.m , and over it, then the person is termed obese. It is more common in women than in men and children who tend to be obese, grow as obese adults. Obese individuals, in contrast to their non-obese counterparts have leptin resistance, a protein hormone expressed by adipocytes (fat cells) that have a great impact on weight maintenance.
Obesity isn’t Just "Calories In Versus Calories Burned"
Calories in/calories out do not explain obesity. Dr. Fatima Stanford says the equation is too simplistic. If it were, obesity wouldn't be so prevalent. "The energy balance theory is incorrect," she continues, "and the focus on this simplistic equation and blaming the patient have contributed to obesity." In addition to contributing to the problem, stigma, blaming, and shame are obstacles to treatment. It is true that over 36 percent of adults in the United States, and the world, are obese.
There are several cases from her own clinic that she discusses. Because they demonstrate the effects of different treatment approaches (and combinations thereof) for obesity, these are the cases that catch my attention. Stanford has seen remarkable, long-lasting positive results with all of them, but she always emphasises diet and lifestyle changes first and foremost. 'Healthy Habits for Life' at the MGH Weight Center is a long-term programme that emphasises a high-quality diet rather than counting calories.
Causes of Obesity
Weight gain is considered the most preventable disease in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Dietary control and physical activity are the most effective ways to achieve this. Reduced illness is also achieved through behavioural therapy, drug therapy and surgery.
Obesity can be treated more effectively if you understand its causes. To determine the best treatment plan for you, speak with your healthcare provider about your daily habits, medical history, and family medical history.
- Obesity is a complicated disease.
- Obesity has more than one cause.
- Obesity is not just about food.
- Obesity is not someone’s fault
Factors Affecting the Human Mind
- As a result of stress and other concerns, weight management can be a difficult task.
- In order to be successful with weight loss, you must address these issues.
I/O (energy flow)
- Weight gain can be caused by an imbalance between calories consumed and calories burned.
- Physical activity is hampered by long daily commutes and desk jobs, both of which make it difficult to get moving.
- Not all communities have safe spaces to run, bike or walk.
- Small bouts of increased physical activity throughout the day can be beneficial.
Deprivation of Sleep
- Some studies show a link between how much people sleep and how much people weigh.
- In general, people who do not get enough sleep may weigh more than people who do.
Hormones/Signals that Stimulate Appetite
- As a result of the presence of hormones in your body, you are able to determine whether you are hungry or full.
- With obesity, the hormones that signal hunger and fullness do not always function properly.
Factors Related to Genetics
- Obesity risk is determined by genes in your body.
- There's no reason to give up on weight loss just because you have these genes! Even a 5 percent weight loss can improve your overall health
Medications on Prescription
- Each month, some prescription medications can cause weight gain of several pounds.
- Consult your healthcare provider about other medication options before discontinuing any medications that you suspect may be causing weight gain.
Factors Related to the Environment
- Advertising, billboards, and images promote the consumption of high-calorie and fat foods and beverages.
- Fresh, healthy foods are hard to come by in some neighbourhoods.
Is obesity Associated With Risks?
An excessive amount of body weight can have a negative impact on the entire body. Excess weight and obesity are linked to more than 50 health conditions. It is common to refer to these health problems as obesity-related conditions because they can affect your quality of life. To learn more about these conditions, you should consult your healthcare provider.
- Not everyone with obesity will develop every obesity-related condition.
- The more weight you carry, the more likely you are to develop obesity-related conditions.
- Finding and treating health conditions early is best for your overall health.
- Weight-loss as small as 5-10% can reduce the effects of obesity-related conditions.
Prevention:
Worldwide, obesity is considered the most preventable disease. Changing one's lifestyle, including diet and exercise, is the most effective way to achieve this. Additionally, behavioural therapy, drug therapy, and surgery can all help to reduce the severity of the condition.
Nutrition and weight loss:
- Avoid fast food, alcohol, and tobacco products (including e-cigarettes).
- Sugary and carbohydrate foods, as well as fatty foods, packaged and processed foods, and preservative-filled packaged foods, should be avoided at all costs. These factors cause the body's cholesterol levels to rise.
- Eat four to five servings a day at the proper intervals. With each passing week, cut back on the amount of each serving.
- A healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health. Vegetables should be boiled and fruit and nuts should be consumed.
- Brown bread, brown rice, and whole grains are better choices than refined flours. Consume more dietary fibre, which makes you feel fuller.
- An important component to any weight loss strategy is a regular regimen of vigorous physical activity. The key to fighting obesity is to engage in physical activity for 1-2 hours a day. Intense forms of exercise such as muscle strengthening and jogging help to maintain body weight.
- One pound per week should be the goal, which equates to about four or five pounds per month.
- Regular exercise should not be ignored or put off. Every two hours of work, take a 10- to 15-minute walk.
- Keep an eye on your BMI and your weight loss goal.
- Behavioral Therapy includes stress management, counselling people for psychological eating disorders, anti-depression therapies.
- Drug Management consists of medication for specific hormonal imbalances and other co-morbidities.
- Bariatric Surgery is indicated when BMI is over 40kg/sq.m or 35kg/sq.m with any co-morbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, severe sleep apnoea. Procedures like gastric sleeve, Roun-en-Y gastric bypass are some permanent solutions where some part of the stomach is removed that helps people to eat less food and eventually aids in weight loss.
Obesity is a precursor to a number of ailments and diseases that prevent one from leading a healthy life. To live a healthy life, one must adopt good habits or adopt a healthier lifestyle!