As per obesity statistics, one-third of the global population is now obese and the obesity epidemic is only growing. Obesity is when you have plenty of body fat that puts you at a risk of several ailments including reproductive disorders, osteoarthritis, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among many others. Obesity can have an adverse effect on the functioning of every important body organ.
Obesity is generally determined by calculating the individual body mass index of an individual. If your number is 25 or more, you are in the overweight category and if your number is 30 or more, you fall in the obese category. This formula however does not apply to children and teenagers as the body fat continues to change with their body growth.
Obesity causes
There are several reasons that are responsible for the growth of the obesity epidemic in the world today.
As per obesity facts, one of the important reasons is the foods that are available these days. We are eating more calories than we used to even a few decades back. As the amount people spend on fast food goes up so does the number of obese people. This is particularly true in case of teenage obesity.
Also, with the advancement of technology our lives have become more sedentary and this is causing us to pile on extra pounds. Environmental conditions are also largely responsible for obesity. Pollution in the environment can cause hormonal changes which can lead to storing fat and changes in the eating habits.
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Lifestyle – Most people these days are not physically active. One of the reasons is that they spend most of their time in front of the computers or television. In fact, a study has found that more than 2 hours of watching TV every day can lead to obesity. People who are inactive gain weight as they do not burn off the calories that they gain though foods and drinks.
There is an obvious link between obesity symptoms and the mode of transportation. A large part of the population depends heavily on their cars. Countries that do not depend on cars for everyday transportation have much lower rates of obesity. A sedentary lifestyle also increases your chances of developing high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes, and several other health problems.
Genetics – Genes have a very big influence on the weight of a person. Obesity often tends to run in families. You have a high chance of developing obesity if your parents are obese.
Hormones – Certain hormonal issues can also lead to obesity such as Cushing’s syndrome, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Medications – According to obesity facts, some medicines including antidepressants and seizure medicines can also lead to weight gain.
Emotional reasons – You tend to eat more when you are stressed, angry or bored. Over eating leads to obesity over time.
Loss of sleep – Some obesity facts have shown that lack of proper rest increases the chances of obesity. Research shows that with every hour of sleep lost, the chances of becoming obese went up.
Obesity treatment
Obesity treatment typically involves four main goals.
• Prevention of further weight gain by treating the obesity symptoms
• Lose weight through a combination of regular exercise regimen and a calorie restricted diet
• Avoiding regaining the weight lost
• Improve overall health
Also Read: Obesity treatment with healthy lifestyle
Apart from health issues, obesity symptoms can lead to psychological effects and financial hardships. While obesity is largely determined by genetics as well as the environment, there are many things that you can do to fight the condition. You can consult your doctor to know about the best weight loss treatment options that are available to help you shed the excess kilos.
