Do you think you're fat? Let's learn more about obesity!

Today we are going to talk about a topic that many people have, but sometimes don't talk about properly. That is obesity . Maybe you are thinking about this too, or maybe someone you know has this condition. It is actually a bit complicated, and it is a long-term health condition. But don't worry, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What is this obesity?

Simply put, obesity is having more fat than your body needs. It's not just a matter of "being overweight." Doctors consider it a chronic and complex disease . Because it can have a big impact on your overall health and quality of life. Sometimes it can also affect your self-esteem and mental health.

But remember one thing, if you are obese, you are not alone. There are many people with this condition all over the world, including in our country. The most important thing is that a doctor can help you find the necessary treatment and management methods for this.

What are the symptoms of obesity?

In fact, there are no specific symptoms for obesity. That is, it is difficult to immediately say, "I am obese because I have these and these things." However, a doctor will determine whether you are obese or not by looking at two main things:

1. Body Mass Index (BMI): This measures whether you are at a normal weight for your height. Doctors use this ``(BMI)`` value to classify obesity.

2. Body shape: The main thing to look at here is your waist circumference .

Body Mass Index (BMI) Classification

Doctors classify obesity into three main classes based on your ``BMI`` value. This classification determines what steps you need to take to lose weight.

• Class I obesity: BMI (body mass index) between 30 and 35 kg/m².
• Class II obesity: BMI (body mass index) between 35 and 40 kg/m².
• Class III obesity: BMI of 40 kg/m² or more.

But remember one thing, your BMI alone cannot tell you exactly what health risks you have. It is only one indicator.

Waist Circumference

Where you store excess fat on your body can also affect the health problems that obesity can cause. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a waist circumference of more than 35 inches for a woman and more than 40 inches for a man may be a sign of increased risk for conditions like cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.

What are the causes of obesity?

Simply put, obesity occurs when you eat more calories than your body needs. But why do we eat so much? There is not just one reason for this, there are many reasons. Think about it...

• Certain medications: Some medications you take for other conditions can cause weight gain. For example, antidepressants, steroids, epilepsy medications, some diabetes medications, and beta-blockers.
• Disabilities: Adults and children with physical or learning disabilities are at higher risk of becoming obese. This may be due to physical limitations, special education, and lack of resources.
• Bad eating habits: Consuming more calories than the body needs, ultra-processed foods, sugary foods and drinks, and saturated fat are major causes of obesity. Imagine how much sugar you would consume if you drank a bottle of sugary drink every day!
• Genetics: Research has found that there are specific genes (obesity-susceptibility genes) that affect the appetite of obese people. However, it is not yet clear whether this genetic makeup is the same in all overweight people.
• Lack of physical activity: Watching TV, playing video games, and spending too much time on your phone or laptop reduces the time available for exercise.
• Lack of sleep: Not getting at least seven hours of sleep a day can affect the hormones that control our hunger.
• Stress: When you are stressed, your brain and body produce more hormones like cortisol, which controls hunger. This can make you crave "comfort foods" that are high in fat and sugar. These foods are stored as excess fat in your body.
• Underlying health problems: Weight gain can also be a side effect of conditions like Metabolic Syndrome and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Mental health problems like Anxiety and Depression can also lead to cravings for high-calorie foods that stimulate the brain's pleasure centers.

What are the complications caused by obesity?

Obesity affects your body in many ways. For example, it causes metabolic changes that increase your risk of many serious diseases. Obesity can also have direct and indirect effects on your overall health.

Metabolic Changes

Your metabolism is the process by which you convert the calories you eat into energy and use them to fuel your body. When your body consumes more calories than it can use, it converts those extra calories into fats and stores them in your body's fat cells. When there is no more tissue to store these fats, the fat cells get bigger. These enlarged fat cells release hormones and other chemicals that cause inflammation in the body.

This inflammation can lead to insulin resistance . Your body can't use insulin to lower blood sugar and fat levels. High blood sugar and fat levels can also cause high blood pressure. When all of these conditions come together, it's called metabolic syndrome . This syndrome is common among obese people. It also increases your risk of the following diseases:

• Cardiovascular diseases: Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, especially coronary artery disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and stroke.
• Fatty Liver Disease: Excess fat in the blood travels to the liver, which filters the blood. When the liver starts to accumulate too much fat, it can lead to chronic liver inflammation (Hepatitis) and long-term liver damage (Cirrhosis).
• Gallstones: Due to elevated blood cholesterol levels, cholesterol is deposited in the gallbladder, increasing the risk of developing cholesterol gallstones and gallbladder disease.
• Kidney Disease: High blood pressure, diabetes, and liver disease are among the main causes of chronic kidney disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Obesity, in particular, increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Statistically, obesity increases the risk of premature death from any cause. However, research has shown that even a small amount of weight loss (between 5% and 10%) can reduce this risk.

Direct effects

Excess body fat can put pressure on your respiratory organs and put strain and strain on your musculoskeletal system. This can lead to conditions like:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back pain
• Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
• Sleep apnea

Additionally, obesity increases the risk of the following diseases and conditions:

• Some types of cancer: For example, esophageal, pancreatic, colon, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
• Depression and Mood Disorders.
• Infertility in women and complications during pregnancy.
• Memory and cognition problems: including an increased risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

How to recognize obesity?

When you see a doctor, he or she will measure your weight, height, and waist circumference. You may also be asked to do a body composition test, such as a bone density test or a bioelectrical impedance analysis. This test measures your body composition by sending an electrical current through your body and measuring the speed at which it travels.

But, more importantly, it's important to know your overall health. The doctor will ask you the following questions:

• Your medical history and treatments: You will also be asked about the medications you are taking. You may also be asked about any medical conditions your family has.
• Your weight history: You will also be asked if you have tried to lose weight before and how your experience was.
• Your lifestyle: Things like your current eating habits, how you sleep, and how active you are during the day.
• Your mental health: You may be asked about things that affect your mental health, such as stress, because things like stress can also lead to overeating.

The doctor will also check your vital signs and may order some blood tests. This complete information is used to diagnose obesity and other related conditions (if any).

How is obesity treated?

Your doctor will work with you to create a weight loss plan that's right for you. Since everyone is different, it may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you.

Changes in diet

You are a unique individual. So any changes you make to your diet should be tailored to you. There are ways to create healthy meals that are full of healthy foods. Your doctor can recommend scientifically proven eating plans, such as the Mediterranean Diet or the DASH Diet . These are not restrictive, negative diets like other diets. They are more like a set of positive guidelines to help you reach your nutritional goals.

Increasing daily activity

Activity burns calories. There are many ways to increase your daily activity. Try adding a little exercise to your day.

Mental health support

Counseling, support groups, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you make positive changes. They can also help you manage stress and cope with emotional and psychological factors that are working against you.

Weight loss medications

Your doctor may recommend that you add medication to your weight loss plan. Medications are not the complete answer to weight loss, but they can help you cope with it in other ways. For example, appetite suppressants can block some of the signals in your brain that affect your hunger. The following medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as treatments for obesity:

• Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave®): Can reduce cravings and the amount of food you eat.
• GLP-1 agonists: Control appetite, make you feel full faster, and can also lower blood sugar levels. Ozempic® is an example of a GLP-1 agonist.
• Semaglutide (Wegovy®) and/or Tirzepatide (Zepbound®): Reduces appetite. Doctors may also combine this medication with a GLP-1 agonist.
• Liraglutide (Saxenda®): Reduces appetite and slows digestion.
• Orlistat (Xenical®, Alli®): Reduces the absorption of fat from your intestines.
• Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia®): Reduces your hunger.
• Phentermine (Adipex-P®, Lomaira®, Suprenza®): Reduces your appetite. It is approved for use for three months at a time.

Weight loss surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

If you have Class III obesity, bariatric surgery may be an option for you. These surgeries work by changing your digestive system – usually the stomach, and sometimes the small intestine – to control the amount of calories you can eat and absorb. They can also reduce the hunger signals that go from your digestive system to your brain. There are several types of weight loss surgery:

• Duodenal Switch
• Gastric Band (Lap Band) `(Gastric Band - LAP band)`
• Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)
• Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)

Can obesity be prevented?

Obesity is easier to prevent than to treat once it has set in. That's because your body manages your body weight in a way that shifts gears as it balances your hunger signals with the amount of energy you expend through daily activities. Once your body has established a new, higher "set point," that's what it considers your new baseline weight. That new set point can cause your weight to be higher on the scale or BMI chart.

Paying attention to your habits and making some sensible changes now can help prevent obesity in the future. Here are some examples:

• Make small changes: Do you have a high-calorie habit, such as a daily snack or a sugary drink that you consume as a "refreshment"? Consider changing it. An extra 150 calories a day can add up to 10 pounds (about 4.5 kg) over a year. That's the equivalent of a small packet of chips or two double-stuffed sandwich cookies.
• Add physical activity: Alternatively, find an activity that suits you and your fitness level, and think about what you can do to burn an extra 150 calories a day.
• Buy things intentionally: Bring healthy foods home and keep them. When you go out, limit sweets and treats to special occasions.
• Improve overall wellness: Reduce screen time, get outside and get some fresh air. Manage your stress, regulate your hormone levels, and try to get enough sleep. Focus on positive changes and healthy activities, rather than just thinking about the impact of your efforts on weight.

What happens if you are obese?

Obesity increases your risk of developing some serious health conditions. However, being obese doesn't mean you'll get those conditions or that you can't do anything to prevent them. Remember, losing just 5% to 10% of your weight can significantly reduce your health risks. Working on a long-term treatment plan can help you maintain the weight you lose.

How do you keep the weight you lost from coming back?

You may think that once you reach a certain weight, your weight loss journey is over. But obesity is a long-term disease. That means you need to continue the steps you took to lose weight, such as making deliberate purchases and being active a few days a week.

If you are obese, you may feel like there is nothing you can do to manage your condition. These feelings are understandable, and they are very common. If you think you are obese, talk to a doctor. He or she can help you find a weight management plan that works for you.

The most important thing to take home from this article

Okay, so, from what we've talked about, these are the most important things you need to remember:

• Obesity is not a simple matter. It is a serious, long-term condition that can affect your health.
• There can be many reasons for this. Many factors such as genes, environment, lifestyle, and mental health can affect this.
• Many complications can occur. There is an increased risk of things like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
• However, it can be managed. As per medical advice, this condition can be controlled with dietary changes, exercise, and, if necessary, medication or surgery.
• Even small changes can have a big impact. Even a small amount of weight loss can reduce health risks.
• You are not alone. Don't be afraid to talk about this and ask for help. Get help from a doctor, a nutritionist, and perhaps a counselor.
• The most important thing is to take care of yourself and stay positive.

If you have any further questions about this, be sure to talk to a doctor. They will guide you through this journey in a way that is right for you.

` Obesity, Weight loss, Health, BMI, Diabetes, Heart disease