With the trend of sedentary lifestyle ever increasing
in this world, the problem of excessive weight is taking a heavy toll on health
of people. Weight reduction is a dream of millions of individuals living on
this planet.
What is obesity?
Technically obesity is
defined as waist hip ratio more than 0.95 for men and 0.8 for women. It roughly
corresponds to a BMI of more than 30.
Causes of obesity
Sedentary life style is
the most important cause of obesity. Carbohydrate and fat rich diet (fast
foods) intake without proper workout leads to fat deposition which causes
obesity. There may be other causes of obesity like
1. Genetic- Prader-willi syndrome,
leptin resistance.
2. Endocrine- Cushing syndrome,
hypothyroidism, PCOD.
3. Drugs-anti-psychotics, mood
stablizers and antidepressants.
Health problems caused by obesity
1. Heart-coronary artery
disease, congestive heart failure.
2. Vascular -hypertension,
stroke
3. Respiratory-obstructive
sleep apnea syndrome
4. Liver- stones in gall
bladder.
5. Cancers
6. Renal vein thrombosis
7. Osteoarthritis
8. Diabetes
9. Depression
Treatment of obesity
Diet- restriction of carbohydrates and fats in diet is equally
important. Both can lead to inflated waists. Exchanging them for fibrous or
protein full diet is a good idea. Atkins diet is useful but should be used if
other dietary interventions fail.
Exercise- all types of workouts are important but the most useful
are cycling and swimming.
A combination of both is the most useful methods of weight loss.
For severe form of obesity called morbid obesity medicines
including sibutramine, orlistat, rimonabant and amphetamines are helpful but
should be used with caution.
Likewise surgery is only the last resort used only in severe
resistant cases. Surgical gastric bypass, bariatric surgery is used in these
cases.
Various terminologies according to BMI
Below-18 underweight
Between 18-25 normal weight
Between 25-30 overweight
Between 30-40 obese
Above 40 is morbid obesity.
For people who believe weight cannot be lost after gain I lost
weight. From 105 kg to 69 kg in 3 months.
Wishing you a healthy and long life
Dr Hitesh Sharma
MBBS, MD (Psychiatry)
For asking a query or phone/video consultation with me visit- https://www.icliniq.com/hitesh
