Symptoms and treatment of Obesity

Description

Obesity is a complex disease that involves having too much body fat. Obesity is not only an aesthetic problem. It is a medical problem that increases the risk of many other diseases and health problems. These can include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer.

There are many reasons why some people have trouble losing weight. Often, obesity is inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with diet, physical activity and the exercise of the options.

The good news is that even modest weight loss can improve or prevent the health problems associated with obesity. A healthy diet, increased physical activity and behavior changes can help you lose weight. The prescription drugs and weight-loss procedures there are other options for the treatment of obesity.

Symptoms

The body mass index, known as BMI, is often used to diagnose obesity. To calculate your BMI , multiply your weight in pounds by 703, divide by your height in inches and then divide again by your height in inches. Or divide your weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. There are several online calculators that help to calculate the BMI .

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Asians with a BMI of 23 or higher may have a higher risk of health problems.

For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. However, BMI does not directly measure body fat. Some people, such as muscular athletes, may have a bmi in the obese category despite not having an excess of body fat.

Many health professionals also measure around the waist of the person to help guide treatment decisions. This measurement is called the circumference of the waist. Weight-related health problems are more common in men with a waist circumference of over 40 inches (102 centimeters). They are more common in women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches (89 cm). The percentage of body fat is another measure that can be used during a weight loss program to keep track of progress.

When to see a doctor

If you are concerned about your weight or weight-related health problems, ask your health care provider about the control of obesity. You and your health care team can evaluate your health risks and talk about your weight loss options.

Causes

Although there are genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal influences on body weight, obesity occurs when you consume more calories than you burn through the typical daily activities and exercise. Your body stores the excess calories as fat.

In the united States, most of people's diets are too high in calories — often of fast food and high-calorie drinks. People with obesity could eat more calories before you feel full, to feel hunger before, or eating more due to stress or anxiety.

Many of the people who live in Western countries that now have jobs that are less physically demanding, so you do not tend to burn a lot of calories in the work. Even the normal activities of daily use fewer calories, courtesy of amenities such as remote controls, escalators, shopping online, and drive-through restaurants and banks.

Risk factors

Obesity is often the result of a combination of causes and contributing factors:

Family legacy and influences

The genes inherited from the parents may affect the amount of body fat you store, and where the fat is distributed. Genetics may also play a role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy, how the body regulates the appetite and the way in which your body burns calories during exercise.

Obesity tends to run in families. This is not only due to the genes they share. Family members also tend to share similar eating and activity habits.

Lifestyle options

Unhealthy diet. A diet that is high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full of fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions contributes to weight gain.
Liquid calories. People can drink a lot of calories without feeling full, especially the alcohol calories. Other high-calorie beverages, including sugar-sweetened soft drinks can contribute to weight gain.
The inactivity. If you have an inactive lifestyle, you can easily take in more calories every day than you burn through exercise and daily routine. Looking in the computer, the tablet and the phone idle screen. The number of hours spent in front of a screen is highly associated with weight gain.

Certain diseases and medications

In some people, obesity can be traced to a medical cause, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and other conditions. Medical problems, such as arthritis, can also lead to the decrease of the activity, which may result in weight gain.

Some medications can cause weight gain if you don't compensate through diet or activity. These medications include steroids, some antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, and certain beta-blockers.

Social and economic issues

Social and economic factors are linked to obesity. It is difficult to avoid the obesity if you don't have safe areas to walk or exercise. You may not have learned healthy ways of cooking. Or you may not have access to healthy food. Also, the people you spend time with can influence your weight. You are more likely to develop obesity if you have friends or family with obesity.

Age

Obesity can occur at any age, even in young children. But as we age, hormonal changes and an active life style and increase your risk of obesity. The amount of muscle in your body, it also tends to decrease with age. Less muscle mass often leads to a decrease in metabolism. These changes also reduce calorie needs, and may make it more difficult to maintain the excess weight. If you do not consciously control what you eat and be more physically active with age, it is likely that the weight gain.

Other factors

Pregnancy. Weight gain is common during pregnancy. Some women might find it difficult to lose weight after the baby is born. This weight gain may contribute to the development of obesity in women.
Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. And for some, this can lead to a sufficient amount of weight gain in order to qualify as obesity. Often, this happens with the use of food to cope with smoking withdrawal. But, in general, quitting smoking is still a greater benefit to your health than it is to continue to smoke. Your health care team can help to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation.
The lack of sleep. Not enough sleep can cause changes in hormones that increase your appetite. So can getting too much sleep. You may also crave foods high in calories and carbohydrates, which can contribute to weight gain.
Stress. Many external factors that affect mood and well-being can contribute to obesity. People often look to the most high-calorie food in situations of stress.
Microbiome. The makeup of your gut bacteria is affected by what you eat and can contribute to weight gain or difficulty losing weight.

Even if you have one or more of these risk factors, does not mean that you're destined to develop obesity. You can counteract the majority of the risk factors through diet, physical activity and exercise. The behavioral changes, medications, and procedures for obesity may also help.

Complications

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of possible serious health problems, including:

Heart disease and stroke. Obesity makes it more likely to have high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Type 2 diabetes. Obesity can affect the way the body uses insulin to control the sugar levels in the blood. This increases the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.
Certain types of cancer. Obesity can increase the risk of cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney and prostate.
The digestive problems. Obesity increases the risk of the development of the acidity of stomach, gallbladder disease, and liver problems.
Sleep apnea. People with obesity are more likely to have sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Osteoarthritis. Obesity increases the stress on weight-bearing joints. It also promotes inflammation, including swelling, pain, and a sensation of heat in the body. These factors can lead to complications such as osteoarthritis.
The fatty liver disease. Obesity increases the risk of fatty liver disease, a condition that occurs due to excess deposition of fat in the liver. In some cases, this can lead to serious damage to the liver, known as cirrhosis of the liver.
Serious COVID-19 symptoms. Obesity increases the risk of developing severe symptoms if infected with the virus that causes the virus of the disease 2019, known as COVID-19. People who have severe cases of COVID-19 may need treatment in intensive care units or even the mechanical assistance to breathe.

Quality of life

Obesity can reduce the quality of life in general. You may not be able to perform physical activities that you used to enjoy. You may avoid public places. People with obesity may even face discrimination.

Other weight-related problems that can affect your quality of life include:

Depression.
Of the disability.
The shame and the guilt.
The Social isolation.
Lower work achievement.

Diagnosis

To diagnose obesity, the doctor may perform a physical exam and recommend some tests.

These exams and tests often include:

Taking your health history. Your health care team can review your weight history, weight-loss efforts, physical activity and exercise habits. You can also talk about your eating patterns and appetite control. Your health care professional may ask about other conditions that we have had, the medicines you take, their levels of stress and other issues about your health. They may also review your family's medical history to see if you may be more likely to have certain conditions.
A general physical examination. This includes the measurement of your height; checking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; listen to your heart and lungs; and the examination of his abdomen.
The calculation of yourBMI. Your health care professional to check your body mass index, called the body mass index . A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. Numbers higher than 30 increase health risks even more. Has your BMI checked at least once a year. This can help to determine their general state of health and risks of treatments that may be right for you.
The measurement of your waist size. The distance around your waist, it is known as the circumference. The accumulated fat around the waist, sometimes called visceral fat or abdominal fat, can further increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Women with a waist that measures more than 35 inches (89 cm), and men with a waist size of over 40 inches (102 centimeters) around may have more health risks than people with smaller waist measurements. As the measurement of BMI, waist circumference should be reviewed at least once a year.
The verification of other health problems. If you have known health problems, your health care team will evaluate them. Your health care professional will also check if there are other health problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, the low activity of the thyroid gland, liver problems, and diabetes.

The collection of this information will help you and your healthcare team choose the type of treatment that works best for you.

Treatment

The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and stay at a healthy weight. This improves overall health and reduces the risk of developing complications related to obesity.

You may have to work with a team of health professionals — including a dietitian, behavior counselor or specialist in obesity — to help you understand and make changes in your eating and activity habits.

The first goal of treatment is usually a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of your total weight. That means that if you weigh 200 pounds (91 kg), he would have to lose, only around 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kilograms) for that health begins to improve. But the more weight you lose, the greater the benefits.

All weight loss programs requires that you change your eating habits and get more active. The treatment methods that are right for you depends on your weight, your general state of health and their willingness to participate in a weight-loss plan.

Changes in the diet

Reducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are the key to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight rapidly at first, steady weight loss in the long term is considered the safest way of losing weight. It is also the best way to keep the weight permanently.

There is No better weight loss diet. Choose one that includes healthy foods that you feel will work for you. Changes in the diet for the treatment of obesity include:

The reduction of calories. The key to weight loss is the reduction of the amount of calories that you take in. The first step is to review your typical eating and drinking habits. You can see the amount of calories that you usually consume and where you can cut back. You and your healthcare professional can decide how many calories you need to take each day to lose weight. A typical amount is 1,200 to 1,500 calories for women and 1,500 to 1,800 for men.
The feeling of satiety with less. Some foods such as desserts, sweets, fats, and processed foods — they contain a large amount of calories for a small portion. In contrast, fruits and vegetables provide a larger portion size with a fewer calories. By eating larger portions of foods that have less calories, you can reduce the sensation of hunger and consume less calories. You may also feel better about your meal, which contributes to how satisfied you feel in general.
Make healthy choices. To make your diet healthier, eat more plant-based foods. These include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also emphasize lean sources of protein, such as beans, lentils and soy, and lean meats. If you like fish, try to include fish twice a week. Limit salt and added sugar. Eat small amounts of fats, and make sure they come from heart-healthy sources, such as olive oil, canola oil, and walnut oil.
The restriction of certain foods. Certain diets limit the amount of a particular food group, such as high-carbohydrate or fat. Ask your health care professional diet plans are effective and that could be useful to you. Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is a sure way to consume more calories than you intended. The limitation of these drinks or eliminating them altogether is a good place to start cutting calories.
Meal replacements. These plans suggest to replace one or two meals each day with their products — such as low-calorie shakes or bars food and eat healthy snacks. Then you have a healthy, balanced third meal that is low in fat and calories. In the short term, this type of diet can help you lose weight. But these diets likely it is that they don't teach you how to change your lifestyle in general. So you may have to stay on the diet if you want to keep your weight at bay.

Be wary of quick fixes. You may be tempted by fad diets that promise quick and easy weight loss. But the reality is that there is no magic food or quick solutions. Fad diets may help in the short term, but the long-term results do not seem to be any better than other diets.

In the same way, you can lose weight with a crash diet, but it is likely that the recovered when you stop the diet. To lose weight and keep it off — you must adopt healthy eating habits that you can maintain over time.

Exercise and activity

Get more physical activity or exercise is an essential part of the treatment of obesity:

Exercise. People with obesity need to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity. This can help to prevent weight gain or to maintain the loss of a modest amount of weight. You will probably have to gradually increase the amount of exercise as your endurance and fitness improve.
Keep moving. Although regular aerobic exercise is the most efficient way to burn calories and lose excess of weight, any extra movement helps burn calories. For example, park farther from store entrances and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. A pedometer can track how many steps you take in the course of a day. Many people try to reach 10,000 steps each day. Gradually increase the number of steps you take daily to reach your goal.

Behavior changes

A behavior modification program can help you make lifestyle changes to lose weight and keep it off. Next steps include looking at your current habits to find out what factors, stress or situations that have contributed to your obesity.

Counseling. To speak with a mental health professional can help to address the emotional and behavioral problems related to food. Therapy can help you understand why you overeat and learn healthy ways to deal with anxiety. You can also learn how to control their diet and activity, understand eating triggers, and deal with food cravings. Counseling can be one-to-one or in a group.
The support groups. You may find friendship and understanding of the support groups where others share similar challenges with obesity. Check with your health care team, the local hospitals or commercial weight loss programs for support groups in your area.

Weight-loss medicines

Weight loss medicines are intended to be used in conjunction with diet, exercise and behavior changes, not instead of them. Before selecting a medication for you, your healthcare professional will take into account your health history, as well as possible side effects.

The most commonly used medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity include:

Bupropion-naltrexone (Contrave).
Liraglutide (Saxenda).
Orlistat (Alli, Xenical).
Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia).
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy).

Weight loss medications may not work for everyone, and the effects may decrease with time. When you stop taking a weight loss medication, you can recover a large part or all of the weight you lost.

Endoscopic procedures for weight loss

These types of procedures which do not require any kind of cuts, also called incisions in the skin. Once you are under anesthesia, flexible tubes and tools is inserted through the mouth and down the throat to the stomach. Common procedures include:

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. This procedure involves the placement of stitches in the stomach to reduce the amount of food and liquids into the stomach can hold at one time. Over time, eating and drinking less help for the average person to lose weight.
Intragastric balloon for weight loss. In this procedure, you have a small balloon that is placed in the stomach. The balloon is then filled with water to reduce the amount of space in the stomach, so that you will feel full eating less food. The intragastric balloon is left in place for 6 months and then removed using an endoscope. At that time, a new balloon can be placed, or not, depending on the plan determined by you and your health care team.

Weight loss surgery

Also known as bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery limits the amount of food you can eat. Some of the procedures also limit the amount of calories and nutrients it can absorb. But this can also result in the nutrition and vitamin deficiencies.

Common weight loss surgeries include:

The adjustable gastric band. In this surgery, an inflatable band that is placed around the outer part of the stomach is divided into two bags. The surgeon removes the narrow band, such as a belt, to create a narrow pathway between the two bags. The band maintains the opening of increasingly large. The band often stays permanently in place.
The gastric bypass surgery. In the gastric bypass, also called Roux-en-y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass, the surgeon creates a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach. The small intestine is then cut a short distance below the main stomach and connected to the new pouch. Food and liquids are derived directly from the pouch into this part of the intestine, bypassing most of the stomach.
Gastric sleeve. In this surgery, a part of the stomach is removed, creating a small reservoir for the food. It is less complicated to gastric bypass surgery.

Success of weight loss after surgery depends on your commitment to making lifelong changes in your eating and exercise habits.

Other treatments

Other treatments for obesity include:

The hydrogels. Available by prescription, these edible capsules contain tiny particles that absorb water and become big in the stomach, to help you feel full. The capsules should be taken before meals and are passed through the intestines as fecal matter.
Vagus nerve blocking. This involves the implantation of a device under the skin in the stomach area. The device sends electrical impulses to the nerves in that area, called the abdominal vagus nerve. This nerve tells the brain when the stomach feels empty or full.
Gastric aspirate. In this procedure, a tube is placed through the abdomen into the stomach. A part of the contents of the stomach to empty after every meal.

Lifestyle and home remedies

His effort to overcome obesity is more likely to succeed if you follow the strategies in the home along with your treatment plan. These may include:

Learning about your condition. Education on obesity can help you learn more about why it was developed obesity and what you can do about it. You can feel more empowered to take control and stick to your treatment plan. Read reputable self-help books and consider talking about them with your healthcare professional or therapist.
The establishment of realistic goals. When you have to lose a lot of weight, you can set goals that are not realistic, such as trying to lose too much too fast. Don't set yourself up for failure. Set daily or weekly goals for exercise and weight loss. Making small changes in your diet instead of trying to drastic changes that you are not likely to stick with that for the long term.
Sticking to your treatment plan. The change of a style of life that you may have lived with for many years can be difficult to do. Be honest with your doctor, therapist, or other health care professionals if you find that your activity or eat the objectives of slip. You can work together to come up with new ideas or new approaches.
To obtain their support. Get your family and friends on board with your weight loss goals. Surround yourself with people who will support you and help you not sabotage your efforts. Make sure that you understand how important weight loss is to your health. You can also join a weight loss support group.
The maintenance of a record. Keep a food and activity log. This log can help you remain responsible for your food and exercise habits. You can discover things that may be holding you back. You can also see what works for you. You can use your registry to track other important health parameters such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels and overall physical fitness.

Alternative medicine

Many of the dietary supplements that promise to help you lose weight fast are available. The long-term efficacy and safety of these products are often questionable.

Coping and support

Talk with your health care professional or therapist about improving their coping skills. Consider these tips to deal with the obesity and weight-loss efforts:

Journal. Writing in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.
Connect. Don't isolate yourself. Try to participate in regular activities and meet with family or friends regularly.
Join. Join a support group so that you can connect with other people facing similar challenges.
The focus. Stay focused on your goals. Overcoming obesity is an ongoing process. Stay motivated to keep your goals in mind. Remember that you are responsible for the management of your condition and working toward their goals.
Relax. Learn relaxation and stress management. Learn to recognize stress and the development of the stress management and relaxation techniques can help you get control of the bad eating habits.

Preparing for your appointment

Talking with your health care professional so open and honest about your concerns about your weight is one of the best things that you can do for your health. In some cases, you may be referred to a specialist in obesity — if available in your area. You may also be referred to a behavioral counselor, or dietitian.

What you can do

Be an active participant in your care is important. One way to do this is by preparing for your appointment. Think about your needs and goals for treatment. Also, write down a list of questions to ask. These questions may include:

What eating or activity habits that are probably contributing to my health problems and weight gain?
What can I do about the challenges they face in managing my weight?
I have other health problems that are caused by obesity?
Should I see a dietitian?
Should I see a behavior counselor with experience in the management of weight?
What are the treatment options for obesity and my other health problems?
Is weight loss surgery or other intervention is an option for me?

Make sure you tell your health care team about any medical conditions that you have and about all the medications, vitamins or supplements you take.

What to expect from your doctor

During your appointment, your health care professional is likely to ask a series of questions about their weight, eating, activity, mood, and thoughts, and any symptoms you might have. You can ask questions such as:

How much weighs in high school?
What life events may have been associated with weight gain?
What, when and how much to eat on a typical day?
The amount of activity you do in a typical day?
What are the periods of his life made you gain weight?
What are the factors that you think affect your weight?
How is your daily life affected by your weight?
What diets or treatments that you have tried to lose weight?
What are your weight loss goals?
Are you ready to make changes in your lifestyle to help you lose weight?
What do you think might prevent you to lose weight?

What you can do in the meantime

If you have time before your appointment, you can prepare for the appointment by keeping a diet diary for two weeks prior to the appointment. You can also record the number of steps you take in a day via the use of a pedometer, called a pedometer.

And you can begin to make choices that will help you begin to lose weight, including:

Make healthy changes in your diet. Include more fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Begin to reduce the sizes of the portions.
Increasing your activity level. Try to get up and move around your house more often. Start small, if you're not in good shape or you're not used to exercising. Even 10 minutes of daily walking can help. If you have any health conditions, or over a certain age — over 40 years for men and 50 for women — wait until you have talked with your health care professional before starting a new exercise program.