Medically Verified By: Dr. Dheeraj Naik
Obesity is characterized by having an excess amount of body fat. The two terms, obesity and overweight, are often simultaneously used, but they are both different. A person is overweight if they weigh higher than what is considered normal for their age and height. However, muscle, bone, fat and body water all contribute toward a person’s weight; obesity develops over time.
Obesity is a worldwide health concern. It has been reported that >1.9 billion of the world population is overweight, and ~650 million are obese. In India, the prevalence of obesity is increasing at a steady rate, with >135 million of its population falling under the category of obesity.
Obesity can be divided into the following type with the help of body mass index (BMI). BMI determines weight with respect to the height of the person.
When the amount of calories consumed by a person is greater than the amount of energy they burn each day, it results in obesity. This can occur because of a number of reasons:
Calculating BMI is the most commonly used method for diagnosing obesity. The waist circumference is measured for determining abdominal obesity. A waist size if >94 cm in men and >80 cm in women is defined as abdominal obesity.
Weight loss is not a short term thing; one needs to think about the long-term approaches of maintaining a healthy weight. This can be achieved only by making nutritional changes, lifestyle and behaviour.
Nutritional Management
It is difficult to suddenly change one’s eating habits; however, making small dietary changes to everyday food habits can make considerable difference. Eating a low-calorie diet and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into one's diet can help one lose weight.
Physical Activity
Performing regular physical activity can help one maintain a healthy lifestyle along with losing weight. Adults should perform at least 150 min of physical activity per week. Small changes in daily activities such as taking the stairs rather than the elevator improve fitness. Note that 30 min of daily aerobic exercises are recommended. This includes:
Medications can help in losing weight only when they are used along with diet and exercise. They should be only used in patients who have failed to achieve weight loss with exercise and diet. Prescription drugs are approved for the following category of patients:
Over time, obesity paves the way for a number of health complications. If not controlled early, it can lead to the following medical conditions:
There is no specific approach to prevent obesity. The combination of physical exercise and healthy eating is the key to avoid weight gain.
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Daily avocado consumption can change fat distribution, leading to reduction in deeper visceral abdominal fat that is associated with higher disease risk, suggests a new study.
Scientists have come closer to finding the exact cellular mechanism underlying the link between too much sugar consumption and metabolic diseases.
Combining exercise with moderate calorie reduction led to a greater weight loss and improvement in heart health in older obese adults, compared exercise plus a more restrictive diet.
A new study has found that people who are obese or overweight and drink alcohol are at a greater risk of developing liver disease.
However, the researchers do not recommend obese people to simply add five cups of hot cocoa to their daily routine without making any other changes in their diet. Read on to know how you can add cocoa powder in your diet to fight obesity and associated liver disease.
Experts of Ayurvedic, Unani and modern medicines all agree that lifestyle changes and appropriate modification in daily diet can help combat obesity.
A new study says that bariatric surgery can drastically lower the risk of cancer in individuals with severe obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
On World Obesity Day, Dr Vineet L Rao shares the key points that you need to know while addressing an epidemic like obesity.
Obesity is not just a term to put someone morally down, the term brings along several body complications, and thus it is something we all should be well aware of. Read to know more.
People with more brown fat have lower risk of Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease, according to a new study. Read on to know more about brown fat and white fat - the two main types of fat found in your body.
Scientists have discovered a type of cell responsible for triggering this inflammation in fat tissue paving the way for development of new ways to treat obesity.
According to a new study, there is a strong association between vitamin D and metabolic homeostasis, or equilibrium. Read on to know more.
A new study says that as a person's weight goes up, all regions of the brain go down in activity and blood flow. This increases risk of many psychiatric and cognitive disorders.
Consuming protein at night increases the blood sugar level in the morning for healthy people, leading to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Greater childhood height before 12 years of age may be a marker for increased risk of subsequent obesity, warn researchers.
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A blood clot (thrombus) in a leg or lung is one of our most common cardiovascular diseases. People with obesity are also at risk of several other serious health problems. Read to know the obesity-related diseases.
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Research says that if you are overweight, you may be at risk of depression. At the same time, this mental health condition may also make you obese.
The carbohydrate-insulin model states that obesity is a metabolic disorder driven by what we eat, rather than how much we eat. Do you agree?
Daily avocado consumption can change fat distribution, leading to reduction in deeper visceral abdominal fat that is associated with higher disease risk, suggests a new study.
Scientists have come closer to finding the exact cellular mechanism underlying the link between too much sugar consumption and metabolic diseases.
Combining exercise with moderate calorie reduction led to a greater weight loss and improvement in heart health in older obese adults, compared exercise plus a more restrictive diet.
A new study has found that people who are obese or overweight and drink alcohol are at a greater risk of developing liver disease.
However, the researchers do not recommend obese people to simply add five cups of hot cocoa to their daily routine without making any other changes in their diet. Read on to know how you can add cocoa powder in your diet to fight obesity and associated liver disease.
Experts of Ayurvedic, Unani and modern medicines all agree that lifestyle changes and appropriate modification in daily diet can help combat obesity.
A new study says that bariatric surgery can drastically lower the risk of cancer in individuals with severe obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
On World Obesity Day, Dr Vineet L Rao shares the key points that you need to know while addressing an epidemic like obesity.
Obesity is not just a term to put someone morally down, the term brings along several body complications, and thus it is something we all should be well aware of. Read to know more.
People with more brown fat have lower risk of Type-2 diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease, according to a new study. Read on to know more about brown fat and white fat - the two main types of fat found in your body.
Scientists have discovered a type of cell responsible for triggering this inflammation in fat tissue paving the way for development of new ways to treat obesity.
According to a new study, there is a strong association between vitamin D and metabolic homeostasis, or equilibrium. Read on to know more.
A new study says that as a person's weight goes up, all regions of the brain go down in activity and blood flow. This increases risk of many psychiatric and cognitive disorders.
Consuming protein at night increases the blood sugar level in the morning for healthy people, leading to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Greater childhood height before 12 years of age may be a marker for increased risk of subsequent obesity, warn researchers.
A lump anywhere on your face could mean an allergy, thyroid or other underlying conditions. Read on to know more.
In recent years, fecal transplants have become a popular way of treating Clostridium difficile, an antibiotic-resistant diarrhea. Now, a new study suggests that it could also be effective against obesity and type 2 diabetes. Read on to know how this treatment works.
A blood clot (thrombus) in a leg or lung is one of our most common cardiovascular diseases. People with obesity are also at risk of several other serious health problems. Read to know the obesity-related diseases.
Studies have revealed that a high proportion of the COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation were overweight or obese. Here are some tips that may help bring your weight into a healthier range.
Research says that coffee can help in weight loss. Besides this, there are many other health benefits of this drink.
Research says that if you are overweight, you may be at risk of depression. At the same time, this mental health condition may also make you obese.
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