Info on Obesity

Obesity is a nutritional disorder in which excessive body fat has accumulated more than the required quantity for a given age, weight and height.

Obesity is mostly noticed in the developed country because they do not lack the availability of food and food raw materials. Although, it is fast gaining a plus in the developing country especially among the rich, they assume that when their children are growing fat, is a sign of good health. This is a wrong conception, it is not a sign of good health rather it is malnutrition; an abuse of food which is actually harmful to health. Some career mothers don’t cook they always depend on the restaurant across the road for food for their families.

Obesity can occur at any age meaning that it also can be seen in children and even babies may be because they may be over fed or given more of junk food rather than properly cooked food. Obesity in children arises more from the consumption of calories food and not involving physical activities. In order to guide the size and weight of your body, we employ what is known as Body Mass Index ( BMI), which is a major of  weight to height ratio. Obesity though is not mostly caused by what we eat or lack of activity it can also be caused by genetic factor; meaning that it might be running through the family. Obesity has been given high degree of concentration these days because it has claimed a lot of lives and rendered some helpless.

BMI

It is expressed as weight to height ratio and allows us to recognize if we are underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese or severely obese.

BMI = weight (in kilogram)/height (centimeters)

Underweight < 18:4

Normal weight 18:5-24:9

Overweight 25:0-29:9

Obese 30:0-39:9

Severely obese >40:0

Some health risk associated with obesity may include      

               Type 2 diabetes

               Hypertension

               Dyslipidemia

               Heart disease

               Gallbladder disease

               Menstrual irregularities

               Bronchitis

               Abdominal hernia

               When these diseases are prevalent, it can be fatal; can lead to untimely death.

Prevention of obesity

Restrict calories intake

Say no to anything called junk food. Do more of cooking than fast food; snacks-burger, ice cream, biscuit, meat pie etc. Take more of water instead of soft drink or alcohol. Sometimes skip heavy meals. Eat more of fruits and vegetables.

Physical activities and exercise

Overweight can actually make one sluggish and lazy so try to be involved in daily house chores. Exercise is one of the easiest way to burn fat. Do simple exercises like jugging, walking, skipping just to mention but few. You can also register at a gymnastic center but don’t do strenuous exercise that can cause breakdown, so do the one that suits you.

Nutritional and medical help

You can seek a nutritional consultant that will give you a dietary time table. There are medical remedies for obesity; drugs and surgery. But it is always advisable to employ the natural method of reducing or avoiding being overweight.