Obesity can lead to various health issues across your body, affecting many of your body systems both directly and indirectly.
What is obesity? Obesity occurs when there is excessive body fat. It’s a chronic and complex condition that can impact your health and quality of life. It may result in serious medical problems and affect your mental well-being.
If you have obesity, you’re not alone—about 2 in 5 adults in the U.S. are affected. A healthcare provider at Shree Polyclinic & Lab can help find the best treatments and management strategies for your health.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of obesity? Obesity itself doesn’t cause specific symptoms, but it is diagnosed using these metrics:
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Measures weight relative to height.
- Waist Circumference: Higher waist sizes increase risk for certain diseases.
BMI Classifications:
- Class I: BMI 30 to less than 35 kg/m².
- Class II: BMI 35 to less than 40 kg/m².
- Class III: BMI 40+ kg/m².
It’s important to remember BMI doesn’t always predict specific health risks.
What causes obesity? Obesity happens when you take in more calories than your body uses. Factors that contribute include:
- Certain medications.
- Physical disabilities.
- Poor eating habits.
- Genetics.
- Lack of physical activity and sleep.
- Stress.
- Underlying health issues.
Complications of Obesity
Obesity can increase your risk of several health issues, such as:
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Fatty liver disease.
- Gallstones and kidney disease.
- Certain cancers, including breast and uterine cancers.
Direct effects: Excess body fat can cause:
- Asthma.
- Sleep apnea.
- Arthritis and back pain.
- Pregnancy complications.
- Mood disorders and cognitive decline, like Alzheimer’s disease.
Management and Treatment
Obesity is a chronic disease where excessive fat can harm your health. Treatment options include:
- Diet changes: A healthcare provider at Shree Polyclinic & Lab can help create a personalized eating plan, such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet.
- Physical activity: Regular exercise helps burn off calories.
- Mental health support: Counseling, support groups, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist with stress management.
- Medication: Options include appetite suppressants or medications like GLP-1 agonists, which can help regulate hunger.
- Surgery: Bariatric surgery may be an option for Class III obesity.
Prevention
Preventing obesity is easier than reversing it. You can prevent obesity by making small changes like eating healthier snacks, incorporating more physical activity into your day, and managing stress.
Outlook/Prognosis
If you have obesity, you can lower your health risks by losing even a small amount of weight (5% to 10%). Continuing a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain long-term success.
Need Help?
If you’re concerned about obesity, contact Shree Polyclinic & Lab at 8550001600 for advice and support on managing your weight and improving your overall health.