Importance of learning the facts of Obesity

"If your DNA profile puts you at a higher risk of developing obesity, that doesn't mean it's your fate. You can take control of the environmental side of the equation and reduce your overall lifetime risk by a lot." - Author: David Agus

If we answer with your widely asked questions:

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a condition that is keeping up with an excess of body fat, reasoning genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control once it’s been gained. Obesity increases your risk of developing related physical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea, to name a few. The negative of all is many individuals are affected by obesity and are not aware of what worst is coming next.

Obesity Measurement factors
Obesity measurement depends on several factors. From those two of them are widely known. The most common methods used are Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference. There is no perfect method to measuring obesity.

About BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical calculation involving height and weight, irrespective of family history, gender, age or race.

Body Mass Index calculation:

By dividing a person's body weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared

[Weight (lbs) ÷ height (in)2 ] x 704.5 =BMI

The BMI cutoffs are:

Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5-24.9 Normal weight
24.5-29.9 Overweight
30 and greater Obese
40 and greater Morbid or extreme obesity

This formula can misguide for very muscular people, or for pregnant or lactating women.

About Waist Circumference

The other way Waist circumference is another widely used measurement to determine abdominal fat content. An excess of abdominal fat, when out of proportion to total body fat, is considered a predictor of risk factors related to obesity.

Men with a waist measurement exceeding 40 inches are considered at risk.

Women with a waist measurement exceeding 35 or greater inches are considered at risk.

Must mention BMI is frequently used in population studies because of its ease of determination and well-supported association with mortality and health effects. Individuals may need to use additional factors to assess their individual risk including family history, level of physical activity, smoking and dietary habits.

Causes of Obesity
There are many causes that directly and indirectly contribute to obesity. Human behavior, environment and genetics are among can be the main causes of obesity. The expert physicians have identified these three as the main causes to the complication of the obesity outbreak.

Human Behavior

In today’s fast-paced environment, it is easy to adopt unhealthful behaviors. Actions you take, in the case of obesity, relates to food choices, amount of physical activity you get and the effort to maintain your health.

Now a day people are consuming more calories on average than in past decades. The increase in calories has also decreased the nutrients consumed that are needed for a healthy diet. This behavioral problem also relates to the increase in portion sizes at home and when dining out.

The influence of television, computers and other technologies discourage physical activity and add to the problem of obesity in our society.

Atmosphere
Atmosphere plays a key role in shaping an individual’s habits and lifestyle. There are many environmental influences that can impact your health decisions. Today’s society has developed a more inactive lifestyle.

Walking has been replaced by driving cars, physical activity has been replaced by technology and nutrition has been overcome by convenience foods.

Genetics
Science shows that genetics play a responsibility in obesity. Genes can reason certain disorders which result in obesity. However, not all individuals who are predisposed to obesity become obese. Research is currently ongoing to establish which genes contribute most to obesity.

Risks of Gaining Obesity

There are more than 40 health conditions that are associated with obesity. Individuals who are obese are at risk of increasing one or more of these serious medical situations. The most customary obesity-related diseases include:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Heart disease
Stroke
Gallbladder disease
Osteoarthritis
Insomnia and respiratory problems
Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

Precautions
Deciding what to do about your obesity in terms of treatment varies from person to person. If you or someone you know is obese, addressing this issue early is an essential part of success. It is significant to talk to your physician about your weight and work with him/her when deciding which health management is right for you. There are more than a few methods available to address your obesity.

Behavior alteration and Physical Activity

As discussed above, behavior plays a large role in obesity. Modifying those behaviors that may have contributed to developing obesity is one way to treat the disease. A few suggested behavior modifiers include:

Altering eating habits
Increasing physical movement
Becoming educated about the body and how to encourage it appropriately
Engaging in a support group or extracurricular activity
Setting realistic weight management goals

Last But Not The Least:
It is important to make a solid dedication to changing a behavior or lifestyle. Involve your close ones and ask them to help you make the essential changes to positively impact your health.

Increasing or initiating a physical activity program is an important aspect in managing obesity. Today’s society has developed a very inactive lifestyle and routine physical activity can greatly impact your health.

You should consult with your physician before initiating any exercise program. Set realistic goals and make sure they are measurable. Involving your family or friends can also help to maintain your physical activity level and reach your goals.

"Now a day most people dies of too much food than of too little"