The term obese describes a person who is very overweight, with a lot of body fat. Currently, obesity is a worldwide problem, since it has reached high figures. According to data from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, in Paraguay, 2 out of 3 adults have some degree of overweight or obesity, and 1 out of 3 school-age children have this condition.
By Fabiola Román, biologist
According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), if a person wants to know if they are obese, the most widely used method is the body mass index (BMI). Basically, BMI is a measure of whether a person is at a healthy weight for their height.
However, the NHS also adds that this method should be interpreted with care as it does not necessarily indicate obesity, as people with highly developed muscles may have a high BMI without much fat.
The NHS recommends, to get a better measure of excess fat, consider including waist size as an additional measure.
Obesity carries many risks, therefore, it is important to keep them in mind in order to apply the necessary measures, since, in addition to causing obvious physical changes, it can cause a series of serious and life-threatening conditions. In addition to the above, obesity can also affect your quality of life and cause psychological problems, such as depression and low self-esteem.
Everyday problems related to obesity include: shortness of breath, increased sweating, snoring, and difficulty being physically active. Often, the person feels very tired, has back and joint pain, low confidence and self-esteem is generated.
There are also some underlying health conditions, such as an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), that can occasionally contribute to weight gain. It is important to note that these types of conditions do not usually cause weight problems if they are effectively controlled with medication.
The causes that can lead a person to be obese can be several, however, it is generally caused by consuming more calories, particularly those in fatty and sugary foods, than are burned through physical activity. Excess energy is stored by the body as fat.
The best way to treat obesity is to eat a healthy low-calorie diet and exercise regularly. To some people this may sound simple, however modern life involves eating excessive amounts of cheap, high calorie foods and spending a lot of time sitting at desks, couches or cars.
Serious health conditions to be aware of
Being obese can also increase your risk of developing many potentially serious health conditions, including: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis (where fatty deposits narrow the arteries), which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke stroke. Continuing down the list, asthma, metabolic syndrome, various types of cancer including bowel cancer, breast and uterine cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), reduced fertility, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, as well as an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease. Obesity is also associated with certain pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. The latter is characterized by a potentially dangerous increase in blood pressure during pregnancy. Obesity reduces life expectancy by an average of 3 to 10 years, depending on how severe it is.
There is no quick fix for obesity. Weight loss programs take time and commitment, and work best when done consistently. Specialists in this area of health should encourage and advise the obese person in relation to following practices that allow maintaining the weight loss achieved. Regularly monitoring your weight, setting realistic goals, and involving friends and family in your weight loss efforts can also help.
Source: National Health Service (NHS) – UK
Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare – Paraguay
