Obesity is a disease that occurs when fat in the body accumulates in an excessive amount, causing severe health consequences. This is determined by a metric known as the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is computed by dividing a person’s weight by the square of their height.
When a person’s BMI is between 25 and 30 kg/ m2 or above, he or she is considered overweight or obese. Obesity is more prevalent in women than in men, and fat children grow up to be obese adults. Obese people, in contrast to non-obese people, have leptin resistance, a protein hormone produced by adipocytes (fat cells) that plays a big role in weight management.
Causes of Obesity
- Obesity is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Obesity is caused by mutations in genes that regulate appetite and metabolism, such as FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated gene).
- Obesity is mostly caused by a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical exercise.
- Increased automated transportation techniques and technological advances have resulted in a significant shift in labor patterns across the world.
- Childhood obesity is a result of today’s schools placing a lower priority on physical education and limiting youngsters to just reading books.
- Hormonal abnormalities such as hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, Growth hormone insufficiency, and particular medications used to treat certain illnesses all contribute to the development of this disease. Obesity is increased by psychiatric illnesses such as binge eating syndrome and night eating syndrome.
1. Limit your intake of processed meals.
Processed food consumption has been related to an increased risk of obesity. High-fat, high-salt and high-sugar foods are not only harmful, but they also promote overeating. So put down the chips and start drinking more water instead of soda, then start adjusting your diet to include more whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals and snacks.
2. Increase your exercise level
Healthy eating habits and regular physical exercise work hand in hand in reducing the risk of obesity and fighting it if you are already fat or overweight. Even modest exercise may go a long way toward helping you maintain your weight loss. Aerobic activities such as walking, hiking, and dancing, as well as more strenuous ones such as running, swimming, and cycling, boost your energy expenditure, allowing you to burn fat and gain muscle mass.
3. Make sure you’re getting adequate rest.
Obesity may be caused by a lack of sleep in a variety of ways. People who don’t get enough sleep are too exhausted to exercise, according to Harvard University’s School of Public Health, which reduces the “calories burnt” side of the weight-change equation. Individuals who are sleep-deprived may consume more calories simply because they are awake for longer periods of time and have more chances to eat. Furthermore, lack of sleep alters the balance of crucial hormones that regulate hunger, causing individuals to feel more hungry than normal.
4. Reduce the amount of time you spend in front of the screen.
Whether you’re playing mobile games or binge-watching your favorite programs on YouTube or Netflix, nearly everyone nowadays is guilty of spending too much time on their devices. However, the more time you spend staring at your phone, computer, or television, the less likely you are to engage in physical activity. Furthermore, your screen time may have an impact on the quantity of sleep you receive, robbing you of much-needed relaxation.
5. Pay a visit to your doctor
Most people aren’t aware of this, but going to the doctor should be a habit rather than a need. If you’re worried about weight-related health issues and believe you’re on the verge of becoming fat, see your doctor and inquire about obesity management. You and your doctor may assess your present health status, review potential health concerns, and explore weight-loss alternatives.