Reviewed by Dr. Richard AlweisObesity refers to a weight-to-height ratio that is unhealthy, thereby causing an increase in health problems and premature death. Obesity is generally defined as being more than 20 percent over the ideal weight for your height. Doctors will often determine a number called the body mass index, or BMI (=weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared), to determine how obese a patient is and when to suggest interventions. A number over 27 is generally regarded as overweight and a number over 30 is generally regarded as obesity.
Forty million Americans are obese. For people between the ages of 40 and 49, 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women are obese.
As you age, your obesity risk increases. Overeating and lack of exercise increase your chance of becoming overweight. For some people, genes play a role—children whose parents are obese are 10 times more likely to be obese than children of normal weight parents. Other risks include: type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
An improper balance of calories consumed versus calories expended causes obesity. Although most people believe a poor diet and lack of exercise to be the sole origin of obesity, the truth is that scientists still do not completely understand all of the causes. Extra calories not used by the body are stored as fat, and obese people may expend less energy when at rest than non-obese people. In addition, obese people may find it difficult to exercise.
Detailed Description
Many factors aside from diet and exercise may play a vital role in determining body weight. Scientists recently discovered genes that influence appetite and metabolism. It is unclear how many people are overweight due to a genetic predisposition to obesity or to an improper diet and exercise regimen. Obesity greatly increases the risk of many long-term diseases and early death. People who are 40 percent overweight are more likely to die prematurely as compared to someone who is not overweight. Distribution of fat on the body varies according to the individual; gender is also an influence. Women generally accumulate excess fat around the hips and buttocks, giving their figures a pear-like shape. In contrast, men usually develop fat around their abdomens, giving them more of an apple-like shape. Persons with fat around the abdomen are more likely to develop many of the health problems associated with obesity. Doctors have developed a waist-to-hip ratio that can measure whether someone has an apple or pear shape.
To diagnose obesity, your doctor will compare your height with your weight and get your full medical history. They may also decide to check your blood for high cholesterol levels.
Treatment
Decreasing fat storages may be accomplished be eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. You should avoid fad dieting or weight-loss powders and pills. Learn what triggers your unhealthy eating. Is it stress? Boredom? Keep a diary that you can refer to, and discuss your habits with your physician. Then, with the help of your doctor or nutritionist, you can construct a meal plan that makes sense for you.The body must burn more calories than it consumes in order to lose fat, so exercise is an important part of a successful weight-loss program. Most doctors recommend approximately 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day. Once you reach your goal weight, exercise will help you maintain it.
Antiobesity drugs may be considered as a supplementary therapy to diet and exercise for obese patients with a BMI of 30 or more with no other medical problems or a BMI of 27 or more if a patient has other major medical problems. Several types of medicines exist. One class stimulates release of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin and/or blocks their breakdown. These drugs work as appetite suppressants. Another class of drugs prevents the body from absorbing fats that are eaten. Both groups of medicines have significant side effects and should not be taken without a doctor’s guidance and close monitoring.
In severe cases, gastric bypass surgery can be performed. The National Institutes of Health have set guidelines for consideration of such surgery. People who would benefit from this surgery, according to these guidelines, are those with a BMI of 40 or more with no other medical problems, or those with a BMI of 35 or more with a medical problem that would improve with weight loss, e.g., obstructive sleep apnea.
Last updated: 30-Jan-03
