Obesity is a condition that occurs when a person has excess weight or body fat that might affect their health. A doctor will usually suggest that a person has obesity if they have a high body mass index (BMI).
Have you ever struggled with weight gain?
Having a BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates that a person is carrying excess weight. A person has obesity if their BMI is 30 or over.
Certain other factors such as a person’s waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, amount and distribution of fat also play a role in determining how healthy their weight is.
Causes of obesity:
Obesity can result from a person consuming more calories than they use as energy, and their body will store the extra calories as fat.
Also, some foods and beverages, especially those that are high in fats and sugars are more likely to lead to weight gain.
Items that tend to increase the risk of weight gain include:
fast foods
fried foods, such as french fries
fatty and processed meats
dairy products
foods with added sugar, such as baked goods, ready made breakfast cereals, and cookies
foods containing hidden sugars, such as ketchup and many other canned and packaged food items
sweetened juices, sodas, and alcoholic drinks
processed, high carbohydrate foods, such as breads and bagels
Some processed food products, such as ketchup, contain high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener.
Eating too much of these foods and doing too little exercise can result in weight gain and obesity.
Lack of physical activity
Lack of physical activity is another important factor related to obesity. Many people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk for most of the day. They also rely on their cars, rather than walking or cycling.
Medical reasons
In some cases, underlying medical conditions may result to obesity..
How to prevent obesity
Limiting unhealthy foods (refined grains and sweets, potatoes, red meat, processed meat) and beverages (sugary drinks)
Increasing physical activity
Limiting television time, screen time, and other “sit time”
Improving sleep
Reducing stress
In some cases, maintaining a moderate weight or losing weight through diet and exercise can help prevent or reduce obesity. however,some persons may need surgery.
