#Article: The Silent Epidemic: Understanding Obesity
Obesity can be characterised as a condition associated with the unhealthy accumulation of body fat, which leads to various health risks. Weight gain happens overtime from taking in more calories than (through foods and drinks) than used up from physical activity and processes such as metabolism. Causes of obesity can be genetic, behavioral, metabolic, and hormonal influences on body weight, but mainly it is caused by excess calorie intake. In the United States, most people's diets are too high in calories ,often from fast food and high-calorie beverages. People with obesity might eat more calories before feeling full, feel hungry more often, or eat more due to stress or anxiety.
According to the WHO, Worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled. Lifestyle choices strongly influence body weight, such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, lack of sleep, stress, and smoking. Social and economic factors are also linked to obesity. It's hard to avoid obesity if a person doesn't have safe areas to walk or exercise, or may not have access to healthier foods. Also, a person's social circle influences weight. A person is more likely to develop obesity if they have friends or relatives with obesity. While obesity can occur at any age, the chances of it occurring increase significantly as a person ages, due to hormonal changes, and a less active lifestyle leads to obesity.
People with obesity are more likely to develop potentially serious health conditions, including:
Heart disease and stroke: Obesity makes a person more likely to have high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for CVDs and stroke, as excess fat starts to accumulate in blood vessels.
Type 2 diabetes: Obesity affects insulin levels in the body to control blood sugar. This raises the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Digestive conditions: An obese person is more likely to experience heartburn, gallbladder disease, and certain liver conditions
Osteoarthritis: Obesity increases stress placed on weight-bearing joints. It promotes inflammation, pain, swelling, and eventually leads to osteoarthritis.
Mental health disorders: Obesity can diminish overall quality of life and mental health. A person may avoid public places, enjoy physical activities less, and may even encounter discrimination. This can lead to depression, disability, shame and guilt, social isolation, and lower work achievement.
Diagnosis of obesity is often done with the help of a body mass index (BMI). BMI takes height and weight into account. A higher BMI is associated with being overweight or obese.
For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. However, BMI doesn't directly measure body fat. Some people, such as muscular athletes, may have a BMI in the obesity category even though they don't have excess body fat.
If a person has obesity, they may feel like there's nothing they can do to manage their condition. Those feelings are understandable and quite common. However, treatment of obesity includes a weight loss plan provided by a healthcare provider after taking your history, weight history, lifestyle, and mental well-being. Building activity in your day is highly encouraged as it burns off excess calories.
Obesity is a serious health issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can lead to various physical and mental health problems if left untreated. However, obesity can be prevented through healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and a balanced lifestyle. By making small but positive changes in our daily routine, we can reduce the risk of obesity and improve our overall health and well-being.
