Obesity , a global epidemic

Every November 12, the World Day Against Obesity is commemorated internationally. A day on which various institutions create awareness campaigns to instill proper prevention of obesity and its serious consequences.

Obesity is an increasingly common health problem. It is common for people to suddenly put on a few extra pounds, however, it is important to recognize when weight gain is turning into obesity.

WHAT IS OBESITY?

Obesity is a disease that consists of an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, also known as fat. It is currently estimated that there are more than 640 million obese people worldwide.

Obesity is already considered a global epidemic, as it affects a large number of people and its numbers have been increasing since 1980.

Obesity is dangerous because it usually aggravates certain serious diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular complications and even some types of cancer, for example gastrointestinal cancers.

There are different types of obesity. Here is what they are:

Abdominal or android obesity. This type of obesity occurs when excess fat accumulates in the abdomen, chest, and face. In some cases, this type of obesity is often associated with diabetes and heart disease.

– Peripheral obesity. It consists of accumulating excess fat on the hips and thighs. This type of obesity is usually the most common in women and in some cases is related to varicose veins and osteoarthritis of the knees.

Homogeneous obesity. It occurs when fat does not tend to accumulate in a specific area, but is distributed in different parts of the body.

WHAT CAN OBESITY CAUSE?

Obesity can be caused by a number of factors. Here’s what they may be:

Lack of physical exercise. One of the most common causes. When a person is not in the habit of exercising frequently, all the food and calories they consume end up being stored in their body, which causes it to become body fat over time, making it more difficult to lose it.

Biological or genetic factors. People who have close family members who are obese are more likely to get this disease at some point in their lives.

Socio-economic factors. The amount of income an individual receives also influences his or her physical condition to some extent. A person who has enough resources will join a gym, join a sports club, eat at healthy food places, etc. On the other hand, a person without many resources, is likely to prefer to invest their money in something that is more economical.

Endocrine diseases. If someone has a thyroid condition, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, they are at high risk of becoming obese. The thyroid ends up causing an imbalance in the body.

Consumption of medicines. Some medications are considered triggers for obesity. Such medications may include some antidepressants, contraceptives, or corticosteroids.

Nervous system. Some people who suffer from some psychological problems may end up developing an imbalance in their central nervous system. This system alters the satiety mechanisms, causing the person to continue consuming food, even if he/she is already satisfied.

Chromosomes. Some cases of obesity are associated with chromosomal defects, such as those with Turner or Down syndrome.

WHAT PROBLEMS DOES OBESITY CAUSE?

Obesity is known to trigger a wide range of health complications. Some of these complications are very serious and require medical attention in order to provide follow-up/monitoring to avoid a critical situation.

-High blood pressure.

Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides.

High blood sugar and even diabetes.

Cardiac complications.

Bile stones and liver problems.

Bone and joint problems.

It is important to emphasize that it is important to know in time if someone suffers from obesity, since prevention is usually key in all diseases. For this, there are several ways someone can determine if they are obese or not. Some of them are:

1.-Body Mass Index (BMI). If a person’s BMI is greater than 40, it is considered high-risk obesity. This amount is obtained using weight and height.

2.-Waist measurement. Women with a waist greater than 89 cm and men with a waist greater than 102 cm are more likely to develop heart disease or type II diabetes.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

Currently, there are several methods that a person can incorporate into their life to lose weight and thus not put their health at risk.

Change of habits. In most cases, people end up being obese due to the lifestyle they lead: bad eating habits, sedentary life, high levels of alcohol and tobacco, among others. It is essential to recognize when we lead a lifestyle that is only harming our health and see what aspects we need to change.

Incorporate healthier foods. From time to time, it is advisable that we evaluate our diet to determine what we should change to bring more nutrients to our diet.

Remember that obesity can be prevented in most cases, so please be aware of your weight and try to pay more attention to what you eat. Don’t forget to balance your meals and try to exercise at least 3 times a week.

Ask our office which Synergy O2 products can help you manage your weight for a better lifestyle.