Obesity

Obesity means an excess fat collection in the body. There is always an optimal weight for every age and sex. In obesity, this weight exceeds the upper limit of normal by 30%.

Morbid obesity is a condition wherein people are overweight by 45 kilos to what is normal for their age and sex.

Obesity1

The prevalence of obesity has increased sharply since the mid seventies especially in the developed countries. In fact, obesity has become so rampant that more children and teenagers are obese nowadays than ever before. Obesity is not just a cosmetic consideration. It is a medical condition associated with illness and disability. It can lead to: –

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressures
  • Heart diseases like coronary heart diseases (CHD)
  • Diseases of gall bladder
  • Sleep apnea plus other respiratory problems
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Stroke
  • Increased risks for many cancerous conditions in both men and women.

Causes of obesity

There are many theories explaining what causes obesity.
Genes versus Environment
Identical twins are known to have very identical BMI even when grown apart. This favors the concept that weight gain and obesity are controlled by genes.

However there are many instances where environmental conditions overwhelm the action of genes in obesity. Famines are known to prevent obesity even in those most prone to it genetically.

A number of conditions have been identified where obesity is a feature right from birth. In these children, along with obesity there are other symptoms that help differentiating these conditions from each other.

Race and Socio-economic conditions

The odds of having obesity and obesity related health conditions varied among persons depending on their age, gender, race, income and smoking.

In the developed countries, obesity is more prevalent among people in the lower socio-economic strata where as, in developing countries, obesity is a problem more seen within the higher socio-economic strata.

So how is OBESITY measured?

The most widely used calculator for obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI). This number is a ratio of a person’s weight (in kilograms) to his height (in meter square). BMI from 30 up to 35 indicate obesity. For adults above 35, a BMI greater than 27 is considered obese.

According to the American Obesity Association (AOA) BMI also indicates the potential health risks that accompany obesity.

Obesity

BMI Category Health Risk
18 – <25 Minimal
25 – <27 Low
27 – <30 Moderate
30 – <35 High
35 – <40 Very high
>40 Extremely high

BMI less than 19 indicates mal-nutrition, while people with BMIs 25 up to 30 are considered overweight for their age and sex. BMI over 40 suggests morbid obesity.

The BMI is a very sensitive indicator of obesity for people between the ages of 19 and 70 years.
Symptoms and Diagnosis

Signs and symptoms that suggest its time to tackle obesity are:

  • Your diabetes does not improve inspite of medications and you are overweight. Remember that all obese persons do not develop diabetes, but 80% of diabetics are obese.
  • You have trouble conceiving. Impotence and infertility are conditions worsened by obesity.
  • The menstrual cycles have become irregular. You either have them too often or they seem to be diminishing in flow and appear later than usual.
  • You have lately developed high blood pressure or your existing high pressures are not responding well to medications.
  • Off-late you suffer from increased daytime sleepiness. Chances are you may suffer from sleep apnea.
  • Obesity increases chances of skin infections. Fungal infections are common in skin folds of the abdomen, torso and lower limbs.
  • Obesity can result in many chemical changes within the body. In some people, the Uric Acid content in blood rises sufficiently to cause gout-> a common condition causing joint inflammation.
  • The weight bearing joints of the body -> back bones, knees, ankles etc. can suffer from joint inflammation (osteoarthritis). Pains in the back and knee are common complaints associated with obesity.
  • Young Children who are obese are more prone to joint problems, especially of the knee joints and lower limbs.
  • Obesity can cause hemodynamic changes that resulting in stasis of blood flow especially in the lower limbs which lead to varicose veins.

Dietary + Life style changesObesity2

Excess calories consumed end-up being stored as fat. A good diet plan must have foods high in nutritive value and low in empty calories.

Give up the idea of starving yourself. Crash diets rarely remedy the situation. You are likely to quit the regimen very soon either out of frustration or from progressive weakness.

Instead, try to eat more of the right kind of foods. The realistic approach is to achieve a “healthier weight” and not what is touted as the “ideal weight”.

Homeopathic Treatment for Obesity:

Homeopathic approach to the treatment of Obesity entails treating the treatable cause, if possible. For example, if obesity is due to hormonal disorders such as Hypothyroidism, it calls for the treatment for the same. Besides the treatment, disciplines diet habit and exercise schedule form important part of the treatment. It may be noted that there are no standard medicines in homeopathy which can reduce weight.

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