OBESITY

What is obesity?
Obesity is a complex medical condition where a person carries an excessive amount of body fat that can lead to health complications such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain cancers.

Normally the body is able to expend the calories that you eat, but an individual with obesity has an imbalance and their body is not able to use up the calories they have consumed. These excess calories are stored as fat and weight gain occurs. Lack of physical exercise and continuous overeating can contribute to obesity.

In some cases obesity can be genetically influenced or related medical issues such as Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition that results in an increased appetite, or Cushing syndrome, a condition where the body is unable to breakdown any calories. Other contributing factors to weight gain may include hypothyroidism or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hypothyroidism can leave you with a slow metabolism because crucial hormones aren’t being produced. Polycystic ovarian syndrome involves irregular ovulation in women that can also lead to weight gain. Diabetes can also contribute to obesity because the condition often leaves you with an increased appetite.

What are the symptoms?

• Excessive body fat
• Excessive abdominal fat
• Extreme back pain
• Joint pain
• Shortness of breath
• High BMI
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue

Adults and children of any age are at risk of becoming obese depending on their food intake and physical exercise routine.

How can Obesity be treated and managed?

Management of obesity is vital to prevent further health complications. Managing and treating obesity requires following a strict diet plan, physical exercise and therapeutic help to maintain a positive mindset.

Certain medications are available to assist with weight loss only in specific cases. Obesity can also be surgically treated in cases where complications are unlikely.