Over the years, scientists have gone crazy researching the various causes and health risks of obesity. Obesity is a leading health condition in the whole world. It is the root cause of other ailments like hypertension, poor lipid profile etc.
It is vital to stay fit and keep a healthy lifestyle while staying within the range of your ideal body weight. Click here to calculate your ideal body weight.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is a health condition where a person’s body mass is much greater than it should be. It is calculated using the metric BMI (body mass index). If your BMI is greater than 30.0, it indicates obesity. Obesity is indicated physically by the accumulation of body fat and increased weight.
Obesity Meaning in Urdu
In Urdu, obesity is called motaapa. موٹاپا. جسم میں چربی کے اضافہ کے باعث موٹاپا یا فرہمی کا مرض لاحق ہوجاتا ہے
How is Obesity Classified?
Obesity is classified using the following criteria of BMI:
- 18.5 or under (Underweight)
- 18.5 to less than 25.0 (Normal)
- 25.0 to less than 30.0 (Overweight)
- 30.0 to less than 35.0 (Obese Grade-1)
- 35.0 to less than 40.0 (Obese Grade-2)
- 40.0 or above Obese (Grade-3)
Obesity Causes
The main cause of obesity is eating more than you burn. Many of us can not exercise each day due to hectic schedules and eat pre-cooked, processed meals. This causes accumulation of fat and increased body weight. Following are some cause of obesity:
1. Genetics
Obesity is strongly linked to genetics. Obesity is much more common in children of obese parents than in children of lean parents. What you eat has a big impact on which genes are expressed and which ones aren’t.
When non-industrialized societies begin eating a typical Western diet, they quickly become obese. Their genes remained the same, but their surroundings and the signals they sent to their genes changed.
Simply put, your susceptibility to gaining weight is influenced by genetic factors.
2. Consumption of Empty Calories
Foods that have been heavily processed are often nothing more than refined ingredients mixed with additives. These products are made to be inexpensive, last a long time on the shelf, and taste so good that they are difficult to resist.
Food manufacturers try to increase sales by making foods as tasty as possible. They do, however, encourage overeating. The majority of processed foods today bear no resemblance to whole foods. These are highly engineered products that are meant to hook people.
3. Availability
Another factor that has a significant impact on people’s waistlines is food availability, which has exploded in recent centuries. Food, particularly fast food, is now available everywhere. Shops put tempting foods on display where they are most likely to catch your eye.
Another issue is that junk food is frequently cheaper than healthy, whole foods. Some people, particularly in poorer areas, do not even have access to real foods like fresh fruits and vegetables.
In these areas, convenience stores only sell soda, candy, and processed, packaged junk food. So how can it even be a choice if there isn’t one?
4. Lack of Exercise
Not exercising each day and burning off extra calories is the most common cause of obesity. People who are overweight or obese find it hard to move about and exercise often. This reduces the body’s basal metabolic rate and slows metabolism in general.
Health Risks of Obesity
There are numerous health risks of obesity. Following are some of them:
1. Metabolic Syndromes
Metabolic disorders such as diabetes can be found in obese people. People who are obese tend to have insulin resistance that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Hypertension
Hypertension is a silent killer. Accumulation of fat in the blood vessels leaves less space for blood to flow that increases the rate of blood flow, called hypertension. Hypertension exhibits a variety of symptoms that are detrimental to health.
3. Hormonal Imbalance
Gaining weight can lead to hormonal imbalance especially in females. Increased body weight thereby increases the level of testosterone in the body. Elevated cholesterol causes unwanted hair growth in females such as on chin, face, neck etc., a condition called hirsutism.
4. Lipid Imbalance
Obesity can cause high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol in the blood can cause drastic changes in the lipid profile. Cholesterol in the body must remain within normal range to ensure normal health. The change in lipid profile can cause a variety of ailments.
5. Coronary Heart Disease
Overconsumption of junk food can lead to accumulation of fat in the arteries. Arteries are responsible to carry blood to all arts of the body. Accumulation of fat can lead to hardening of the arterial walls and cause coronary heart disease.
Obesity management is vital for those on the verge of obesity. A healthy and fit lifestyle will guarantee longevity. To get consultation for obesity management, contact a nutritionist right away!
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FAQs
1. What are the types of obesity?
Obesity is of three types, also called grades. Grade 1, 2 and 3, as explained above.
2. Can obesity be fatal?
Obesity is the root cause of numerous health issues. It may not be THE cause but can be one of the root causes.
3. How can I lose weight?
Losing weight requires dedication and consistency. In order to lose weight, you can reach out to a qualified nutritionist.