Obesity and its effects on the body

Obesity definition – This is substantial accumulation of body fat that is detrimental to one’s health.

Obesity is measured using Body mass Index.

BMI is the ratio of one’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in metres.

This is how we classify BMI

BMI <18 – underweight

BMI 18-24.9- Normal weight.

BMI 25-29.9- Overweight

BMI 30.0 and higher- Obesity.

CAUSES OF OBESITY

Divided into the following.

✓Genetics- some people inherit genes from parents that affects the amount of fats their body stores.

Genetics can also affect how your body converts food into energy,how your body regulates your appetite. Obesity tends to run in the families.

✓Behavioural-people who generally eat unhealthy diet that is rich in calories like high calories beverages, fast foods and eating oversized portions can contribute to obesity.

Inactivity lifestyle while taking more calories can cause obesity.

Taking of sugary soft drinks, alcohol with high calories can cause obesity.

✓Metabolic and hormonal diseases.

Diseases like hypothyroidism, Prader willi syndrome and Cushing syndrome can cause obesity.

✓ Age- though obesity can occur in any age, as you grow old due to inactivity ,there is a risk of obesity. Muscle mass tend to decrease with age hence decrease in metabolism,this lead to low need for calorie hence increasing the weight.

✓Pregnancy- pregnancy increase weight which is difficult to lose after giving birth hence risk of obesity.

✓Lack of sleep- This triggers changes in hormones that increase appetite..

✓stress-Can affect mood and well being contributing to obesity.

COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY

✓Heart diseases and stroke.

✓Type 2 diabetes

✓Digestive problems like Heartburn,gallbladder disease and liver diseases.

✓Certain cancers like cancer of uterus,ovary,breast,colon,rectum,oesophagus,liver,prostate and kidney.

✓Sleep apnea.

✓Fatty liver disease.

✓Worsening Covid symptoms.

Treatment