Different Forms of Obesity and How to Tackle Them

What is Obesity?

Obesity is defined as the abnormal accumulation of fat in different body parts. This accumulated fat can change the way the organs function and affect your health adversely over time.

Obesity is determined by our BMI or Body Mass Index. BMI is calculated by dividing an adult’s weight (in kilograms) by their height (in metres square). The WHO defines obesity in adults as a BMI greater than 29. The following BMI ranges are used to describe the risks associated with obesity:

• BMI 25 to 29.9 – Overweight but not obese

• BMI 30 to 34.9 – Class 1 or low-risk obesity

• BMI 35 to 39.9 – Class 2 or moderate-risk obesity

• BMI 40 and above – Class 3 or high-risk obesity

In children, it is far more complex to determine what falls under the category of obesity but there are parameters that you can follow. Also remember that there are different types of obesity and each needs a different approach to tackle.

Types of Obesity and How to Handle Each

Understanding the many types of obesity can help you determine the solution. Remember that obesity is both preventable and treatable, but you must have the right approach depending on the cause of the problem. Here’s what you need to know:

• Obesity arising from Diet:

Eating the wrong kinds of food and/or eating too much food and pairing that with too little activity can lead to this kind of obesity. You need to tackle it with a two-pronged approach – that is, eating balanced meals in appropriate amounts, and exercising regularly. Sugary foods are the main culprit when this is the kind of obesity you are suffering from.

• Nervous Stomach:

Eating sugary items as a response to stress or anxiety often leads to this type of obesity. Good solutions to this include dealing with stress with various techniques such as meditation, yoga or physical exercise. A conscious control over actions when stressed is necessary too. Make it a point to keep your house free of sweets or at least out of reach, so that you are not tempted to indulge in them during stressful times.

• Gluten Free Food:

Experts believe that when you substitute staples with gluten free food, you take in more energy dense foods that may have double the fat content than that in conventional foods. Gluten free foods may also be low in protein, and thus, reduce your nutritional intake as well. This is the reason why switching to a zero-gluten diet may result in obesity.To address this problem, you need to restore a proper balance in your diet.

• Genetically Caused Obesity:

In recent years, the obesogenic environment that is prevalent in many homes across the globe has given rise to obesity that may arise genetically. In this environment, children have easy access to calorie rich foods and lack of access to physical activity. There is also a lack of motivation to pursue a strict exercise regime, and as a result, any child of obese parents may also end up being obese. The solution is to eliminate such an environment and create a healthy one that promotes nutritious food, exercise and an active lifestyle.

• Alcohol Consumption Related Obesity:

Alcohol contains 7 kilo calories per gram and excessive consumption can lead to excessive weight gain as well. For heavy drinkers, this is a clear risk. The solution is simple; to cut down on alcohol intake or reduce it dramatically.

• Sedentary Obesity:

It is common knowledge that a sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain, and finally, to obesity. In case you have a desk job that keepsyou in a seated position for most part of the day, it is very important to exercise regularly. Also, during work hours, it is important to get up and walk for a few minutes each hour. This will prevent the weight gain that arises from staying inactive in a sitting position all day long.

Risk Associated with Being Overweight

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of many chronic conditions. These include —

1. High blood pressure

Obesity can lead to narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The heart is then forced to exert excess pressure on the arteries and this leads to high blood pressure.

2. Type 2 diabetes

Excess fat or obesity can make your body resistant to insulin. Therefore, obese people are at a higher risk of getting diagnosed with high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes.

3. Sleep apnoea

High BMI can lead to fat accumulation in the airways. This can restrict breathing or cause breathing to stop and start repeatedly when asleep. This severe sleep disorder is called sleep apnoea. It can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.

4. Kidney disease

Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases. These conditions can affect your kidneys and increase the risk of kidney disease.

5. Gallbladder disease

Obesity can lead to high cholesterol levels in the bile, thereby causing gallstones or gallbladder disease.

6. Liver disease

Obesity causes fat build-up in the liver. This excess fat can lead to liver inflammation, causing liver damage and scarring. Severe cases of liver scarring increase the risk of liver failure.

7. Osteoarthritis

Being overweight or obese puts excess pressure on your hips, knees, ankles, and other joints. This can lead to osteoarthritis and cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

8. Cancer

Excess visceral fat also increases the risk of developing cancer in different organs, such as the liver, kidney, gallbladder, ovary, colon, breast, cervix, uterus, rectum, pancreas, and prostate.