What you need to know about Obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition where a person has an excessive amount of body fat. It usually develops gradually over time due to a mix of reasons—what we eat, how active we are, our genetics, lifestyle, and in some cases, medical issues.

A common way doctors measure obesity is through Body Mass Index (BMI).

A BMI of 25–29.9 = Overweight
A BMI of 30 or more = Obesity

But BMI is only a guide. It doesn’t tell the full story, and health professionals also look at waist size, overall health, and body composition.

Types of Obesity:

1. Abdominal Obesity (Apple-Shaped)
Fat gathers around the stomach and upper body.
More common in men.
Increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome.

2. Gluteofemoral Obesity (Pear-Shaped)
Fat is stored mostly in the hips, thighs, and buttocks.
More common in women.
Lower risk of metabolic diseases compared to abdominal obesity.

3. Generalized Obesity
Fat is evenly spread throughout the entire body.
Often linked to overall calorie surplus, lifestyle, or metabolic factors.

4. Peripheral Obesity
Fat mainly around arms and legs, but the upper body may stay relatively lean.
Can be linked to hormonal imbalances or genetics.

5. Central (Visceral) Obesity
Fat builds deep inside the abdomen, surrounding organs like the liver and intestines.
This is the most dangerous type due to high metabolic risk.

6. Subcutaneous Obesity
Fat stored just beneath the skin.
Less harmful than visceral fat but still affects mobility and metabolism.

7. Sarcopenic Obesity
A combination of low muscle mass and high fat mass.
Common in older adults.
Leads to weakness, poor mobility, and higher health risks.

Why Does Obesity Happen?

No single factor causes obesity. Most often, it’s a combination of:

1. Eating Habits

High-calorie foods, sugary snacks, fast foods, and oversized portions can contribute to weight gain over time.

2. Lack of Physical Activity

Modern lifestyles involve more sitting—at work, during travel, or at home. When the body doesn’t burn enough energy, fat begins to store.

3. Genetics

Some people have a natural tendency to gain weight more easily due to their genes.

4. Stress & Sleep

Stress can trigger emotional eating, while poor sleep affects the hormones that control hunger.

5. Medical Conditions

Certain conditions (like hypothyroidism or PCOS) and some medications can make losing weight harder.

Treatment and Management:

Lifestyle Modifications:
- Diet: Focus on a balanced diet with controlled portion sizes. Emphasize whole foods, fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limiting refined sugars and processed foods is crucial.
- Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days per week.
Behavioral Interventions:
- Counseling: Psychological support can help address emotional eating, stress management, and developing healthier behaviors.
- Support Groups: Joining groups can provide motivation, support, and shared experiences.
Medical Treatments:
- Medications: Prescription weight-loss drugs may be used to assist with weight management. These include options like orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, and buproprion-naltrexone, among others.
- Regular Monitoring: Medical supervision to monitor potential side effects and ensure that the medication is effective.
Surgical Interventions:
- Bariatric Surgery: Options include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band). These procedures are generally considered for individuals with severe obesity who have not achieved long-term weight loss through other means.
Long-Term Maintenance:
- Continued Lifestyle Changes: Ongoing commitment to healthy eating and physical activity is essential for sustaining weight loss.
- Regular Check-ups: Monitoring weight and health markers regularly to manage and prevent potential complications.
- Research and Future Directions: Ongoing research aims to better understand the genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors contributing to obesity and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.