OBES

OBES

OBESITY

WHAT IS OBESITY ?

Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. People who are at higher risk for obesity include:

Lower income groups Former smokers People with chronic mental illness People with disabilities People with a sedentary lifestyle (lifestyle with no irregular physical activity)

A crude population measure of obesity is the body mass index (BMI), a person’s weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of his or her height (in meters). A person with a BMI of 30 or more is generally considered obese. A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight.

WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF OBESITY?

• Android: -Android type of obesity is likened to the shape of an apple. .In these persons the vital organs affected will be mostly the heart, liver, kidneys & lungs. Though this typed of obesity is found more in males it is common in females too. Those females, who are under hormone treatment for their menstrual abnormalities or after childbirth, are more prone to this type of obesity. It occurs in females around menopause too due to thyroid gland's functional disturbance. In this type, the excess flesh is less likely to reduce especially in female than males. Android type of obesity is a major risk for heart damage & heart disease due to high cholesterol.

• Gynoid : In this type the lower part of the body has the extra flesh. This type of obesity is also common to both sexes though females are more affected. Vital organs affected mostly are the kidneys, uterus, intestines, bladder & bowls. But the functions of these organs some times have a direct effect on the heart. In this type of obesity, exercises or dieting will not help appreciably in reducing weight. Here unani herbal medicine is the only hope.

• The third type: - Besides android & gynoid, there is one more type of obesity. Some persons neither belong to android or to gynoid category. Their whole body from head to toe looks like a barrel. The fat tissues in their body hinder the movement of all the internal organs & consequently affect their brisk functioning. For them any exercise is difficult due to the enormous size of the body.

•

Obesity is a significant health threat. The extra weight puts added stress on all parts of your body. Medical problems and symptoms commonly resulting from untreated obesity include:

.Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome

.High blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke

.Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders

.Certain cancers, including breast and colon

.Depression

.Osteoarthritis

In extreme cases, especially when left untreated, this can lead to right-sided heart failure and ultimately death.

TREATMENT

Successful programs for weight loss reduction and maintenance should be started and followed under the care of a physician and/or a nutritionist. A weight-loss program may include:

Exercise (30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week)A low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate, high fiber dietBehavior modification to change eating behaviorSocial supportMedication

The key (and only) reason for the success of any dietary plan is that it make you consume fewer calories than what you are expending.It is very important to discuss all medications you are taking with your physician.

Causes and Risk Factors of ObesityThere is evidence of strong genetic, metabolic and environmental influences in the development of obesity. Certain illnesses, such as Cushings syndrome or hypothyroidism, and medications, such as glucocorticoids, can also cause obesity.

Diagnosis of ObesityA physical examination, including a measurement of weight and height, is usually sufficient to diagnose obesity . A complete medical history, including age of onset, family history, eating and exercise behavior, smoking, alcohol use, and previous weight loss experience are all important.Your physician may order blood tests, including fasting levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, to determine whether any obesity-related conditions are present

TIPS

Eat only at the table. No snacking in front of the TV, in bed, while driving, or while standing in front of the open refrigerator.

Learn about appropriate portion sizes. Consider learning meditation or yoga as a way of managing stress, rather than snacking. Find ways to socialize and enjoy your friends and family that don't involve a meal or

dessert. Consider keeping a diet and exercise journal. This may help you identify overeating

triggers in your life. Find a support group or consider psychotherapy to help support you in the difficult but

worthy goal of weight loss.

Doctor using a skin fold calipers to measure fat

A number of fat cells remains constant in all body types

FAT CELL

DONE BY: JELLE YEE LOY, ESTHER RAPHAEL, SARAH

GOON LUN, CHRISTINA CRAFORD, AMANDA PIERRE