What is considered Overweight and Obesity?
Along with hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, overweight and obesity is now considered a 21st century “pandemic” due to its rapid increase and severe health consequences.
1. Definition of Overweight and Obesity
The World Health Organization defines overweight and obesity as an excess and abnormal accumulation of fat in the body or certain areas of the body, leading to numerous health risks. In general, overweight and obesity indicate a body weight that is higher than what is considered healthy for a person. Obesity is a chronic condition caused by an excessive amount of body fat. Our bodies contain a certain amount of fat that is necessary for storing energy, retaining heat, absorbing shocks, and other functions.
Overweight and obesity are classified using the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated using a person’s height and weight. The formula to calculate BMI is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. Since BMI reflects the relationship between height and weight, it is closely related to the total amount of body fat in the body of an adult.
According to the World Health Organization’s classification, an adult (excluding pregnant women) with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, while an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Overweight and obesity are typically characterized by an increase in body weight and the accumulation of fat in specific areas such as the abdomen, thighs, waist, and chest.
2. Causes of Overweight and Obesity
The main causes of obesity include:
- Energy imbalance: When the intake of dietary energy exceeds the body’s energy needs, excess energy is stored as fat in the body.
- Genetics: Some people carry genes that contribute to overweight and obesity, such as genes that increase appetite, regulate metabolism, and influence the growth of fat cells. If one or both parents are obese, there is a high risk that their children will also be overweight. Individuals who are overweight due to genetic factors have a slow metabolism, which is difficult to improve.
- Thyroid dysfunction: A condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones necessary for the body. This can slow down metabolism and cause an accumulation of fat, leading to weight gain.
- Lack of sleep: Research has shown that regularly missing 30 minutes of sleep per day increases the risk of overweight and obesity by 17%. When a person does not get enough sleep, the levels of the hormone ghrelin increase, leading to increased hunger and cravings for high-sugar foods. Over time, this can result in uncontrolled appetite and obesity.
People who are at high risk of becoming overweight or obese include:
- Those who have a habit of consuming fast food, high-calorie foods, and excessive amounts of fat and fried foods, and those who eat fewer vegetables and drink a lot of soft drinks and alcohol.
- Sedentary individuals, middle-aged people, postpartum women, families with many obese individuals, and urban residents.
- A sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and a sedentary office environment can also contribute to obesity.
- Physically active individuals who switch to a less active lifestyle but continue to eat a lot of high-energy foods can also become obese.
3. Consequences of Overweight and Obesity
* Psychological Impact of an Oversized Appearance
Being overweight or obese can cause the body to appear larger, leading to feelings of insecurity and stress for those affected. Overweight and obese individuals often experience a loss of confidence in social situations, a fear of public speaking, reduced flexibility in their daily lives, and decreased work efficiency.
* Osteoarthritis
Overweight and obese individuals are more prone to developing osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and chronic pain due to the added pressure on their bones and joints, particularly in their knees and spine. They are also more likely to develop gout.
* Cardiovascular Disease
Overweight individuals are often accompanied by dyslipidemia, also known as high blood fat or cholesterol levels. When high cholesterol levels lead to atherosclerosis, it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. In addition, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body in overweight and obese individuals, which can put a strain on the heart and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is currently a leading cause of death.
*Diabetes
Obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes as it causes insulin resistance, leading to a direct cause of the condition.
* Digestive Tract Diseases
Excess fat in the body can cause constipation and increase the risk of hemorrhoids. The accumulation of waste and toxins in the digestive tract can also lead to colon cancer. A fatty liver can result from excess fat accumulation in the liver and can progress to cirrhosis if not treated. Fatty metabolism disorders can also cause gallstones.
* Memory Decline
Overweight and obese children often have lower IQs compared to children with normal weight. Obese adults are also at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
* Respiratory Diseases
Excess fat in the chest, diaphragm, and abdomen can make it difficult to breathe, especially in severe cases of obesity where shortness of breath can lead to Pickwick’s syndrome, which can be fatal. Obese individuals often experience breathing difficulties, snoring, sleep apnea, and worsened arrhythmias due to limitations in the activity of their diaphragm and airways.
* Endocrine Disorders Due to Overweight and Obesity
Obese women are at a higher risk of menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, and complicated pregnancies. Obese men are more likely to experience weakened physiological function and infertility.
* Obesity and Cancer Risk
Overweight and obese individuals have high levels of blood cholesterol and insulin, which increases cholesterol in immune cells and decreases the ability of the immune system to fight cancer cells. There is evidence linking obesity to certain types of cancer, including esophageal, rectal, breast, uterine, liver and bile duct, and prostate cancer.
To reduce the risk of serious health complications associated with being overweight or obese, it is recommended that individuals maintain a healthy, balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity to improve their overall health and prevent the dangerous diseases caused by being overweight or obese.
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