What is Obesity?
Obesity is referred to as having excess body fat. Obesity
can also be defined as a body mass index (BMI) value higher than 30. According
to World Health Organization obesity is a condition of abnormal or excessive
fat accumulation that present a risk to an individual health.
can also be defined as a body mass index (BMI) value higher than 30. According
to World Health Organization obesity is a condition of abnormal or excessive
fat accumulation that present a risk to an individual health.
The signs symptoms of obesity are as follows;
·
Clothes feeling tight and needing a large size.
Clothes feeling tight and needing a large size.
·
Having extra fat around the waist.
Having extra fat around the waist.
·
Heavy sweating and a feeling of always being hot.
Heavy sweating and a feeling of always being hot.
·
Difficulty in sleeping.
Difficulty in sleeping.
·
Lack of energy and constantly feeling tired.
Lack of energy and constantly feeling tired.
·
Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes.
Causes of Obesity
Obesity occurs when you eat more calories than your
body uses up. If the foods you eat provide more calories than your body needs,
excess is covered to fat initially, fat cells increase in size. When they can
no longer expand, they increase in number. If you lose weight, the size of fat
cells decrease, but the number of cells does not. But there are other factors
that also play a role in obesity. These include.
body uses up. If the foods you eat provide more calories than your body needs,
excess is covered to fat initially, fat cells increase in size. When they can
no longer expand, they increase in number. If you lose weight, the size of fat
cells decrease, but the number of cells does not. But there are other factors
that also play a role in obesity. These include.
·
Medication: Certain drugs such as
steroids and some antidepressants may cause excessive weight gain.
Medication: Certain drugs such as
steroids and some antidepressants may cause excessive weight gain.
·
Psychological Factor: Psychological factors also
influence eating habit and obesity. Many people eat in response to negative
emotions such as sadness or anger.
Psychological Factor: Psychological factors also
influence eating habit and obesity. Many people eat in response to negative
emotions such as sadness or anger.
·
Illness: Although not as common as
many believe, there are some illnesses that can cause obesity. These include
hormone problems such as hypothyroidism (poorly acting thyroid slows
metabolism, depression and some viral disease of the brain that can lead to
overeating.
Illness: Although not as common as
many believe, there are some illnesses that can cause obesity. These include
hormone problems such as hypothyroidism (poorly acting thyroid slows
metabolism, depression and some viral disease of the brain that can lead to
overeating.
·
Environmental Factors: Although genes are an
important factor in many cases of obesity, a person environmental factor
include life style behaviours such as what a person eat and how active he or
she is.
Environmental Factors: Although genes are an
important factor in many cases of obesity, a person environmental factor
include life style behaviours such as what a person eat and how active he or
she is.
·
Genetics: Obesity tends to run in
families. In a study of adults who were adopted as children, researcher found
that participating adult weights were closer to their biological parent’s
weight then their adoptive parents.
Genetics: Obesity tends to run in
families. In a study of adults who were adopted as children, researcher found
that participating adult weights were closer to their biological parent’s
weight then their adoptive parents.
·
The environment provided by the adoptive family
apparently had less influence on the development of obesity that the person’s
genetic makeup.
The environment provided by the adoptive family
apparently had less influence on the development of obesity that the person’s
genetic makeup.
Diagnoses of Obesity
Methods of assessing body
fat are discussed below.
fat are discussed below.
Measuring your weight in
proportion to your height is the traditional way of determining whether you are
obese or at an appropriate weight, doctor can often determine if you are obese
by calculating your body mass index (BMI), which is derived by dividing your
weight in kilogram by your height on meters squared. Doctors may also estimate
whether you have too much body fat by measuring your weight to help ratio.
There are others tested that can estimate your percentage of body fat.
proportion to your height is the traditional way of determining whether you are
obese or at an appropriate weight, doctor can often determine if you are obese
by calculating your body mass index (BMI), which is derived by dividing your
weight in kilogram by your height on meters squared. Doctors may also estimate
whether you have too much body fat by measuring your weight to help ratio.
There are others tested that can estimate your percentage of body fat.
Accuracy of these tests
varies and some are so expensive that you are not likely to have them at the
doctor’s office. When combined with your visual appearance and weight
circumference or weight to help ratio your BMI can usually provide a valid
estimate of whether you are obese.
varies and some are so expensive that you are not likely to have them at the
doctor’s office. When combined with your visual appearance and weight
circumference or weight to help ratio your BMI can usually provide a valid
estimate of whether you are obese.
Test to diagnose obesity
includes
includes
Body mass index (BMI)-A BMI
of or higher is considered obese.
of or higher is considered obese.
According to World Health Organization (2004), Body mass
index (BMI) classifications of individuals are as shown below
index (BMI) classifications of individuals are as shown below
|
Category
|
BMI range – kg/m2
|
|
Very severely underweight
|
less than 15
|
|
Severely underweight
|
from 15.0 to 16.0
|
|
Underweight
|
from 16.0 to 18.5
|
|
Normal (healthy weight)
|
from 18.5 to 25
|
|
Overweight
|
from 25 to 30
|
|
Obese Class I (Moderately obese)
|
from 30 to 35
|
|
Obese Class II (Severely obese)
|
from 35 to 40
|
|
Obese Class III (Very severely obese)
|
over 40
|
Source:
Adapted from WHO, 1995, WHO, 2000 and WHO 2004.
Adapted from WHO, 1995, WHO, 2000 and WHO 2004.
o
Waist circumference: Simple measurement that
estimates the amount of fat deposited in the skin and inside the abdominal
cavity. Waist to head ratio greater than 1 in men or 0.85 in women is
considered obese. Waist circumferences that exceed 102 centimeters (40 inches)
men or exceed 88 centimeters (35 inches) in women are associated with an
increased risk of heart disease.
Waist circumference: Simple measurement that
estimates the amount of fat deposited in the skin and inside the abdominal
cavity. Waist to head ratio greater than 1 in men or 0.85 in women is
considered obese. Waist circumferences that exceed 102 centimeters (40 inches)
men or exceed 88 centimeters (35 inches) in women are associated with an
increased risk of heart disease.
o
Skinfold caliper: Most fat is deposited
beneath the skin. This test measures fat just beneath the skin, but cannot
measure fat accumulated inside the abdomen.
Skinfold caliper: Most fat is deposited
beneath the skin. This test measures fat just beneath the skin, but cannot
measure fat accumulated inside the abdomen.
o
Water displacement tests: Fat floats; the rest of
your body sink. Determining how well you float provides an estimate ratio of
fat to body mass.
Water displacement tests: Fat floats; the rest of
your body sink. Determining how well you float provides an estimate ratio of
fat to body mass.
o
Electrical measurements: A couple of test
calculates your percentage of body fat by measuring the difference between the
electrical characteristics of fat and often tissues in your body.
Electrical measurements: A couple of test
calculates your percentage of body fat by measuring the difference between the
electrical characteristics of fat and often tissues in your body.
o
Blood test: To rules out other medical
conditions that may cause excess body weight, such as a thyroid disorder.
Blood test: To rules out other medical
conditions that may cause excess body weight, such as a thyroid disorder.
Types of Obesity
There are several standardized types of obesity that
have been classified by the World Health Organization. The types of obesity
are:
have been classified by the World Health Organization. The types of obesity
are:
o
Class I
Class I
o
Class II
Class II
o
Class III
Class III
But have been subdivided by
other organization into categories such as “mild obesity” and “super obesity” the types of obesity set
by the World Health Organization (WHO) were classified based on the true body
mass index (BMI).
other organization into categories such as “mild obesity” and “super obesity” the types of obesity set
by the World Health Organization (WHO) were classified based on the true body
mass index (BMI).
·
Class I is the first and lowest types of obesity.
Individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.99 would fall into this category.
Class I is the first and lowest types of obesity.
Individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.99 would fall into this category.
·
Class II include body mass index of 35 to 39.99.
Class II include body mass index of 35 to 39.99.
·
Classes III are those with body mass index over 40,
include the sub-categories of several, morbid and super obesity in order of
measuring severity.
Classes III are those with body mass index over 40,
include the sub-categories of several, morbid and super obesity in order of
measuring severity.
Complication of Obesity
Obesity has far ranging negative effects on health.
The health effects associated with obesity include.
The health effects associated with obesity include.
a) High Blood Pressure: Additional fat tissue in the body needs oxygen
and nutrients in order to live, which requires the blood vessels to circulate
more blood to the fat tissue. This increases the workload of the heart because
it must pump more blood through additional blood vessels. More circulating
blood also means more pressure on the artery walls. Higher pressures on the
artery walls increase the blood pressure. In addition, extra weight can raise
the heart rate and reduce the body’s ability to transport blood through the
vessels.
and nutrients in order to live, which requires the blood vessels to circulate
more blood to the fat tissue. This increases the workload of the heart because
it must pump more blood through additional blood vessels. More circulating
blood also means more pressure on the artery walls. Higher pressures on the
artery walls increase the blood pressure. In addition, extra weight can raise
the heart rate and reduce the body’s ability to transport blood through the
vessels.
b) Diabetes: Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes.
This type of diabetes usually begins with adulthood but is now actually
occurring in children. Obesity can cause resistance to insulin; the hormone
that regulates blood sugar becomes elevated. Even moderate causes of obesity
dramatically increase the risk of diabetes.
This type of diabetes usually begins with adulthood but is now actually
occurring in children. Obesity can cause resistance to insulin; the hormone
that regulates blood sugar becomes elevated. Even moderate causes of obesity
dramatically increase the risk of diabetes.
c) Heart Disease: Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is
present 10 times more often in obese people compared to those who are not
obese. Coronary artery disease is also more prevalent because fatty deposits
build up in arteries that supply the heart. Narrowed arteries and reduced blood
flow to the heart can cause chest (angina) or a heart attack. Blood clots can
also form in narrowed arteries and cause a stroke.
present 10 times more often in obese people compared to those who are not
obese. Coronary artery disease is also more prevalent because fatty deposits
build up in arteries that supply the heart. Narrowed arteries and reduced blood
flow to the heart can cause chest (angina) or a heart attack. Blood clots can
also form in narrowed arteries and cause a stroke.
d) Joint Problems Including Osteoarthritis: Obesity can affect the
knees and hips because of the stress placed on the joints by extra weight.
Joint replacement surgery, while commonly performed on damaged joints, may not
be an advisable option for an obese person because the artificial joint has a
higher risk of loosening and causing further damage.
knees and hips because of the stress placed on the joints by extra weight.
Joint replacement surgery, while commonly performed on damaged joints, may not
be an advisable option for an obese person because the artificial joint has a
higher risk of loosening and causing further damage.
e) Sleep Apnea and Respiratory Problems: sleep apnea, which causes
people to stop breathing for brief periods, interrupts sleep throughout the
night and causes sleepiness during the day. It also causes heavy snoring.
Respiratory problems associated with obesity, occur when added weight of the
chest wall squeezes the lungs and causes restricted breathing.
people to stop breathing for brief periods, interrupts sleep throughout the
night and causes sleepiness during the day. It also causes heavy snoring.
Respiratory problems associated with obesity, occur when added weight of the
chest wall squeezes the lungs and causes restricted breathing.
f) Cancer: In women, being obese contributes to an
increased risk for a variety of cancers including breast, colon, gall bladder
and uterus. Men who are obese have a higher risk of colon and prostate cancers.
increased risk for a variety of cancers including breast, colon, gall bladder
and uterus. Men who are obese have a higher risk of colon and prostate cancers.
g) Metabolic Syndrome: The National Cholesterol Education
Program(2011) has identified metabolic syndrome as a complex risk factor for
cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome consist of six major components:
abdominal obesity, elevated blood cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, insulin
resistance with or without glucose intolerance, elevation of certain blood
components that indicate inflammation, and elevation of certain clotting
factors in the blood.
Program(2011) has identified metabolic syndrome as a complex risk factor for
cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome consist of six major components:
abdominal obesity, elevated blood cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, insulin
resistance with or without glucose intolerance, elevation of certain blood
components that indicate inflammation, and elevation of certain clotting
factors in the blood.
h) Gynaecological problems
(abnormal menses, infertility).
(abnormal menses, infertility).
Prevention and Management
of Obesity
of Obesity
The
following ways are used in preventing and to manage obesity.
following ways are used in preventing and to manage obesity.
Ø
Monitor your Weight
Regularly: People who weigh themselves at least once a week are more successful in
keeping of excess pounds. Monitoring your weight can tell you whether your
efforts are working and can help you detect small weight gain before they
become big problems.
Monitor your Weight
Regularly: People who weigh themselves at least once a week are more successful in
keeping of excess pounds. Monitoring your weight can tell you whether your
efforts are working and can help you detect small weight gain before they
become big problems.
Ø
Know and Avoid the Food
Traps that Cause You to Eat: Identify situations that trigger you out of
control eating. Try to keep a journal and write down what you eat, how much you
eat, when you ear, how you are feeling and how hungry you are. And develop
strategies for handling these types of situation and stay in control of your
eating behaviour.
Know and Avoid the Food
Traps that Cause You to Eat: Identify situations that trigger you out of
control eating. Try to keep a journal and write down what you eat, how much you
eat, when you ear, how you are feeling and how hungry you are. And develop
strategies for handling these types of situation and stay in control of your
eating behaviour.
Ø
Exercise Regularly: According to the American
College of Sports Medicine (2000), you need to get 150 to 250 minutes of
moderate intensity activity a week to prevent weight gain. Moderately intense
physical activities include fast walking and swimming.
Exercise Regularly: According to the American
College of Sports Medicine (2000), you need to get 150 to 250 minutes of
moderate intensity activity a week to prevent weight gain. Moderately intense
physical activities include fast walking and swimming.
Ø
Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks: Focus on low calories,
nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain. Avoid
saturated fat and limit sweet and alcohol. Ensure that you choose food that
promotes healthy weight gain and good health more often than you choose food that
don’t.
Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks: Focus on low calories,
nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain. Avoid
saturated fat and limit sweet and alcohol. Ensure that you choose food that
promotes healthy weight gain and good health more often than you choose food that
don’t.
Ø Consistent: Stick to your healthy weight plan during the
week.
week.