How to Manage Obesity?

Obesity is caused by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation with a BMI over 30. Obesity categories have been defined by the CDC as follows:

Risk factors may be modifiable or non-modifiable:

Non-Modifiable risk factors;

• Genetics and family history 
• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Co-existing comorbidity
• Unemployment
• Socio-economic background

Modifiable risk factors;

• Malnutrition
• Lack of sleep
• Stress or depression
• Lack of physical activity 
• Medications use
• Sedentarism

Obesity is said to be the mother of all diseases. In elite-class families, the ‘over-caring’ of children may lead to childhood obesity. As per WHO, around 8% of children aged 5-19 years are obese, while 16% of adults are obese.

The following complications may be following obesity;

• Cardio-vascular diseases
• Insulin resistance leads to NIDDM(Type-2 DM)
• Arthritis
• Fatty liver
• Depression
• Inferiority complex/Low social image
• Gestational diabetes
• Dementia
• Risk of certain cancers, i.e., breast, colon, endometrial, uterine, pancreatic, liver, and kidney.

Obesity is one of the treatable diseases. Before a person becomes morbidly obese, specific measures can be taken to manage obesity.

1. Diet modification;

A sedentary lifestyle promotes the ‘luxury food’ culture. Intake of high energy and fat diet makes an individual prone to obesity.

By default, excess nutrients are converted into glycogen in the liver and triglycerides in fat and muscles.

Essential nutrition should be taken to manage obesity. It has balanced nutrients.

Calorie calculation should be done to avoid surplus diet consumption.

2. Regular exercise;

It should be remembered that diet modification is the first step in curtailing obesity. Calories should be taken as required.

Exercise burns the surplus fat and decreases insulin resistance. Workout also increases hormone levels, i.e., Dopamine, Serotonin, and Nor-Epinephrine elevate mood and boost confidence.

3. Avoid stress and depression; 

It was determined that people with obesity had a 55% increased risk of developing depression over time and that depressed people had a 58% increased risk of obesity.

-National Institute of Health

Instead of taking depression, an individual should focus on his physical well-being.

4. Take proper sleep;

Regular sleep is crucial in maintaining hormonal balance and stabilizing body functions. Sleep decreases the production of leptin and ghrelin, which reduce appetite. Moreover, sleep increases growth hormone production and inhibits cortisol levels, reducing the risk of obesity.

5. Medical treatment;

Individuals who have a BMI over 30 can use anti-hyperlipidemic, i.e., Lovastatin and Atorvastatin.

6. Surgical treatment;

Bariatric surgeries and Liposuction can be considered in individuals who are morbidly obese.