Are you also suffering from obesity? Let's talk about this simply!

Do you sometimes feel like "Oh, I look a little fat"? Maybe you feel like you're stuck when you put on a dress. This is actually a problem that many people in our country have today. But even though we think of this 'fat' as simple, sometimes it can be a little more serious than that. Medically, we call this condition obesity, or `(Obesity)`. This is not just a problem with appearance, but a long-term condition that affects our overall health. So let's talk about this today, as if we were talking to a friend, very simply.

What exactly is obesity?

Simply put, obesity is the accumulation of unhealthy levels of fat in your body. It is not something that happens overnight, but rather over time. This is why we call it a chronic disease. This condition can affect your happiness in life, your mental health, and your self-confidence.

But remember, you are not alone in facing this problem. There are a lot of people suffering from this condition all over the world and in our country as well. The most important thing is that there are treatments and management methods for this. If you talk to your doctor, you can find the best solution for your body and health.

How is obesity measured? What are the symptoms?

Obesity is not a condition that causes specific symptoms like a fever or a cold. Instead, a doctor will determine whether you are obese or not based on several measurements.

• Body Mass Index (BMI): This is the most commonly used method. It calculates whether you are at a healthy weight for your height. The resulting value determines which category you fall into.
• Waist Circumference: Where your body fat is stored is also very important. Excess fat, especially around the abdomen, increases health risks. This is what waist circumference is used to measure.

Classification by BMI value

Doctors use BMI to divide obesity into three main classes. This classification is very helpful in planning treatment.

What your waist circumference says

Carrying excess fat around your belly increases your risk of developing diseases like heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Generally, a waist circumference of more than 35 inches for a woman and more than 40 inches for a man is considered a risk factor.

Why are we so big? What are the reasons?

At a very basic level, obesity occurs when you take in more calories from food than your body burns. But why does that happen? There are many reasons for this. It's not just one thing, it's a combination of many things.

• Dietary habits: This is the main reason. If we eat a lot of calories, especially ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks and foods, and oily foods (like short-eats and fried rice), the body gets more calories than it needs. The remaining calories are stored in the body as fat.
• Lack of exercise: With our lifestyle today, physical activity has decreased a lot. Due to sedentary jobs, watching TV, and spending more time on the phone, the body burns fewer calories.
• Genetics: Yes, genes play a role. Research has found that some people are predisposed to obesity by the way their genes affect things like appetite and metabolism. If you have a family history of obesity, you may be at slightly higher risk.
• Certain medications: Medications such as antidepressants, steroids, some diabetes medications, and beta-blockers can also cause weight gain.
• Lack of sleep:Sleeping less than 7 hours a day disrupts the functioning of the hormones that control our hunger. That's why people who don't get enough sleep feel like eating more often.
• Stress: When you are stressed, your body produces more hormones like cortisol. These hormones increase hunger. Also, when you are stressed, you often eat "comfort foods" that are high in sugar and fat. These can lead to weight gain.
• Other medical conditions: Conditions such as metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also cause weight gain as a side effect.

What health problems can be caused by obesity?

Obesity is a condition that can affect almost every system in your body, increasing your risk of a number of serious diseases.

How does a doctor diagnose this condition?

When you go to see a doctor to talk about this, he or she will ask you a few questions to help you get a better picture of your overall health.

• Your medical history: Ask about other illnesses you have, medications you take, and family illnesses (such as diabetes and heart disease).
• Your weight history: Asks you about things like whether you have tried to lose weight before and whether those methods were successful.
• Your lifestyle:They ask about your eating habits, how much exercise you do per day, and how you sleep.
• Your mental health: It also talks about things like stress and tension you're experiencing, because that can also contribute to weight gain.

In addition, your weight, height, and waist circumference will be measured. You may also have blood tests to check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. All of this will help your doctor determine whether you are obese or have other health conditions that may be related to your condition.

What are the treatments for weight loss?

This is a journey that is different for each person. What works for one person may not work for another. So your doctor will create a plan that is right for you. This includes several key areas.

1. Changing your diet

This doesn't mean you have to stop eating or eating all the delicious food. It means getting used to a healthy, balanced diet. You can talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to create a diet plan that suits you. For example, there are scientifically proven healthy eating patterns like the `(Mediterranean diet)` or the `(DASH diet)`. In terms of our food, reducing the amount of rice on the plate and adding more vegetables, greens, fish, and lentils is a good start.

2. Increase physical activity

Add at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to your daily routine, such as walking, cycling, or swimming. Start with small things. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking to the store can make a big difference.

3. Mental health and counseling

If you have a habit of emotional eating due to stress or anxiety, it's important to get help. Counseling, support groups, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help.

4. Weight loss medications

In some cases, along with lifestyle changes, a doctor may also prescribe medications to help you lose weight. These can help reduce your appetite and control your hunger. However, these should only be taken under medical supervision. Some examples include:

• ``Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave®)''
• `Liraglutide (Saxenda®)`
• `Orlistat (Xenical®)`
• `Semaglutide (Wegovy®)` - A form of the diabetes drug `(Ozempic®)` approved for weight loss.

5. Weight loss surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

This is usually recommended for people with class III obesity (BMI 40+) who have difficulty losing weight through other methods. This surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach or changing the way food is absorbed. This limits the amount of food that can be eaten.

• ``Gastric Sleeve'' (Sleeve Gastrectomy)
• Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
• `Gastric Band` (LAP band)

How do you keep from gaining weight again after losing weight?

Many people think that losing weight is the hardest thing to do. But actually, maintaining the weight you lose is even more challenging. Remember, obesity is a chronic disease. This means it requires long-term management.

• Keep making small changes: Continue to practice the good habits you developed while losing weight (drinking water instead of sugary drinks, eating light meals at night).
• Don't stop exercising: Exercise is essential not only for losing weight, but also for staying healthy. So be active every day.
• Keep healthy food at home: Be careful about the food you bring home. Keep things like fruits, vegetables, and nuts at home. Limit bringing in processed foods and sweets.
• Think about overall wellness: get good sleep, manage stress, and focus on being healthy and happy, not just about your weight.

If you have this problem, you may feel like you can't get through this on your own. That's normal. The most important thing is not to be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your doctor today. He or she will create a plan that is right for you and that you can do. This journey is not one you go through alone.