What you need to know about Class III Obesity

Are you also very worried about your body weight? No matter how hard you try, losing weight is not as easy as you think? Maybe you think, "I don't eat right, I don't have the willpower to exercise." But in reality, obesity is not a lack of willpower or a lack of control over eating. It is a more complex, chronic condition that requires treatment. That's what we're talking about today.

What is Class III Obesity?

Simply put, Class III Obesity is the most severe form of obesity. It used to be called "Morbid Obesity," but that term sounded a bit unpleasant, so doctors now use the name "Class III Obesity."

A common measure used to measure obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI) . This is a simple calculation that shows whether you are at a healthy weight for your height.

• If your BMI is 40 or higher, it is considered Class III Obesity.

But remember, BMI is not always a 100% accurate measurement. Sometimes a well-muscled athlete can have a high BMI, but he is not obese. Therefore, when a doctor examines you, he will not only check your BMI, but also other things like your waist circumference and the thickness of your skin fat layer.

What are the symptoms and complications of obesity?

There are no specific symptoms that are unique to Class III Obesity. The main symptom is a BMI of more than 40. However, this condition can affect various parts of our body and cause serious health complications. This is what we need to pay the most attention to.

Let's look at some of the major health problems that can arise due to this below.

Why is this happening? What are the causes of obesity?

Many people believe that weight gain is caused by an imbalance between the amount of food we eat and the amount of exercise we do. That is true to some extent. When we consume more calories than our body burns, the excess energy is stored in the body as fat (adipose tissue).

But the story doesn't end there. This is a very complex matter.

There are many other reasons that affect this:

• Genetics: You might be surprised to learn that more than 15 genes have been identified that are linked to obesity. Some people are genetically predisposed to gaining weight. Some genetic conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, can also cause obesity.
• Hormonal imbalances: Hormones are very powerful things in our bodies. Hormone-related conditions like hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause unwanted weight gain.
• Certain medications: Some medications you take, for example, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids, can also cause weight gain as a side effect.
• Social and Cultural Factors: Just think, how many advertisements are there on television and the internet for high-calorie, fast food? Even in Sri Lanka, it is now easier to find a "Shot-Eats" shop or bakery, but it is difficult to find some good vegetables and fruits. Also, the portion sizes of the foods we eat are much larger now than before.
• Environmental and economic factors: Sometimes fast food is cheaper and easier to find than nutritious foods. Also, if you live in an area where there are no safe places or parks to walk and exercise, that can also contribute to weight gain.

Other factors that increase the risk of weight gain

In addition to the above reasons, these factors can also increase your risk:

• Lack of sleep: Research has found a link between people who sleep less than 7 hours a day and a higher BMI.
• Chronic stress: If you are stressed for a long time, your body releases hormones like ``Cortisol.`` These hormones control our hunger and energy metabolism, which can lead to weight gain.
• Age: As you age, your body's metabolism slows down, increasing the risk of weight gain.
• Gender: Women generally have more body fat than men, and they may also gain weight during pregnancy and menopause.

How does a doctor diagnose this condition?

When you go to see a doctor, he will take several steps to confirm this condition.

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculation: First, your height and weight are measured and your BMI is calculated.

2. Waist circumference measurement: This is also a very important measurement, because fat deposited around the abdomen increases the risk of things like heart disease.

• For women: If it is more than 35 inches
• For men: If it is more than 40 inches
• (For those of us of South Asian descent, doctors consider even lower values ​​to be risky.)

3. Blood tests and other tests: Your doctor may recommend various tests to see if there are other medical conditions that are contributing to your weight gain and to find out what complications are caused by obesity.

What are the treatments? How do we deal with this?

This is the most important part. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. You will need a treatment plan that is specific to you, based on your body, lifestyle, and health goals. Your doctor will help you with this.

The main treatment methods can be divided into four categories:

1. Healthy lifestyle changes

This is the basis of treatment.

• Changes in diet:You can meet with a dietitian to plan a balanced diet that suits you. This doesn't mean skipping meals, but eating the right things, in the right amounts, at the right times.
• Physical activity: Exercise is not only good for weight loss, but it's also good for your mental health. However, don't start doing strenuous exercise all at once. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is right for you and how long you should do it.
• Good sleep: It is essential to get 7-8 hours of good sleep a day.
• Stress management: Stress is a major cause of weight gain. Things like meditation and breathing exercises can help you manage stress.

2. Behavioral and Psychotherapy

Sometimes there may be psychological reasons behind our eating habits. Conditions like depression and anxiety are often seen along with obesity. Therefore, talking to a psychologist (Talk Therapy) can be very helpful. `(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT)` is one effective method used for this.

3. Medications

If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to control your weight, your doctor may prescribe medications to help you lose weight. These medications mainly work by controlling your hunger and making you feel full after eating a small amount.

Examples: `(Orlistat)`, `(Liraglutide)`, `(Semaglutide)`

4. Weight loss surgeries and procedures

These methods can be considered for people who are very overweight and have failed all other methods. There are two main types of these.

• Endoscopic procedures: Non-surgical procedures that involve inserting an endoscope (a tube with a camera) through the mouth to make the stomach smaller. For example: Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG).
• Bariatric surgeries: These are surgeries.
• Gastric Bypass Surgery: A small section of the stomach is created and connected directly to the small intestine.
• Sleeve Gastrectomy: A large part of the stomach is removed, making the stomach smaller.

Although these surgeries can yield very good results, they also have risks and complications. Therefore, this is a very serious decision. You should discuss this at length with your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

If you're having trouble managing your weight, don't hesitate to see a doctor. When you see him, asking him these questions will be very helpful.

Finally, the journey to weight loss can be challenging. There may be ups and downs along the way. But it is not impossible. Instead of trying to make a big change all at once, make one small change at a time. Remember that even losing as little as 5% or 10% of your total weight can have a big positive impact on things like your blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol levels . It will definitely improve your quality of life.