Obesity is a state or condition of being very fat. It is excessive fat accumulation that prones the individual to health risks.
If you have a body mass index within the range 25-29.9, you are considered overweight and a body mass index of over 30 is obese. https://nutritiondigests.com/2023/02/03/body-mass-index/
Do you know that being overweight does not necessary mean the individual has excessive fat? An overweight person could be that the person has more muscles (body builders), drinks a lot of water or is pregnant.
Interesting facts about Obesity
• From research, obesity kills more people than starvation in most countries.
• Obesity can shorten a lifespan by nearly 10years.
• Mother’s weight during pregnancy doesn’t just affect the baby during development and birth, it leaves a lifelong trace.
• Pima Indians are genetically predisposed to obesity.
Causes of Obesity.
There are so many causes of Obesity which can be categorized under genetic factors and environmental factors.
Genetic factors.
• Hormonal changes due to age increase
• Body composition
• Hormonal factors ( thyroid hormones)
• Fat uptake efficiency
• Hunger and satiety signals
Environmental factors
• Physical activity (sedentary lifestyle)
• Eating behaviour
• Emotional stress
• Medication
• Eating opportunities
• Socioeconomic issues
• Psychological triggers
In summary, the chief causes of obesity are: lifestyle, diet and level of physical activity
Obesity is a disease because it is linked to other life-threatening diseases and premature death.
Health effects of obesity
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high levels of triglycerides (dyslipidemia).
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Coronary heart disease.
• Stroke.
• Gallstones and Gallbladder disease.
• Deterioration of bone density and muscle mass.
• Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Pregnancy issues
• Sleep apnea and breathing problems.
• Cancer
• Depression and anxiety
• Body pain
• Infertility in both men and women
• Death