All You Need To Know About Obesity And How You Can Get Rid Of It
Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat. An individual is said to be overweight or obese when he/she has additional body fat above the ideal body weight; 20-40% over ideal body weight is observed as mildly obese; 40-100% over ideal body weight is referred as moderately obese, and 100% over ideal body weight is considered morbidly or severely obese. You can get your overall body checkup at Medicross which is one of the leading medical centres in Gold Coast.
Obesity in children and teens
Obesity is not just a problem that affects adults. More and more children today are afflicted with this problem that was once assessed purely as an adult disease. The number of obese children has tripled over the last 20 years. Childhood obesity is a strong portent that this particular child will grow up to be obese as an adult. Moreover, childhood obesity is a powerful indicator of weight-related health problems in later life, depicting that learned unhealthy lifestyle choices continue into adulthood. In Australia, approximately, fifty thousand individuals die in a year due to obesity. As a result, obesity is labeled as the second largest leading cause of preventable deaths.
Symptoms of obesity
● Excessive weight gain &
● Presence of large amounts of fatty tissue.
Immediate symptoms of obesity include:
● Breathlessness
● Excessive sweating
● Snoring
● Difficulty sleeping
● Inability to cope with sudden physical activity
● Feeling of tiredness
● Back and joint pains
Long-term symptoms of obesity include:
● High blood pressure
● Heart disease and stroke
● High cholesterol
● Breast cancer and menstrual problems (in women)
● Gallbladder disease
● Gastroesophageal reflux disease
● Arthritis
● Diabetes
● Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
● Skin disorders
● Reduced life expectancy
Many people may also experience psychological problems which include:
● Low self-esteem
● Low self-confidence
● Feeling of isolation
● Poor quality of life because of reduced mobility
Causes of obesity
Obesity is not something that happens overnight - it develops gradually and is generally a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices; to a certain extent, your genes may also be responsible.
Genetic: - Studies have confirmed that a predisposition towards obesity can be inherited. It has been noted that most children with childhood obesity or overweight parents grow up to be overweight. Weight on the hips or around the middle is strongly influenced by heredity factors.
Lifestyle choices: - It also influences your weight. Eating more calories than you need is usually a result of poor food choices. Alcohol also contains a lot of calories and heavy drinkers are often overweight. Bad eating habits run in families.
Lack of physical activity: - It is another important obesity-related factor. If we do not actively use up the energy provided by food, the extra calories are stored as fat and this gradually leads to obesity.
Medical reasons: - Medical reasons are also a well-known cause of obesity. In One out of every 100th case, there is a medical reason for obesity. Conditions such as Cushing's syndrome (overproduction of hormones in the body) and an underactive thyroid gland are rare causes of weight gain. Certain medicines, including some steroids and antidepressants, also contribute to weight gain.
How to prevent obesity?
Eating healthily and regular exercise are some of the best obesity prevention methods. Diet, calorie intake and exercise play a major role in obesity.
Visit medicross.com.au for more information.