Obesity: Definition, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & More Essay Example

instead of walking, fewer physical demands at home or at work contributed by modern technology and conveniences as well as the lack of physical education lessons in schools. If a person is not active enough, they do not utilize the energy that is provided by the food they consume and the extra energy they take in is stored in the body as fat.

Genes and family history –This is where certain genetic traits are inherited from the parents (Bouchard & Pérusse, 2003). Overweight and obesity conditions tend to run in particular families but in a lesser degree. The probability of an individual becoming overweight is high if one or both parents are overweight or obese. One’s genes also may affect the amount of fat that is stored in their body and where the body can carry the extra fat. Since families share food as well as physical activity habits, there is a link that exists between genes and the environment of an individual. Also, it may be true that certain genetic characteristics are inherited from the parents, for instance having a large appetite for food, thereby making it difficult to lose weight. Children tend to adopt the habits of their parents; a kid who has overweight parents that are inactive and eat high-calorie rich foods is likely to become overweight too. But if the family adopts the habit of eating healthy foods and starts engaging in physical activities, the chances of the kid of being overweight or obese is somewhat reduced.

Medical reasons

The underlying medical conditions that may cause an individual gain weight. Some hormone problems in the body, such as underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and Cushing's syndrome

may contribute to overweight and obesity. Underactive thyroid is a condition where thyroid gland makes insufficient thyroid hormone; lack of thyroid hormone will slow down metabolism in the body thereby causing weight gain. An individual is also likely to feel weak and tired. And Cushing's syndrome is a condition where the body's adrenal glands excess of the cortisol hormone. The condition can also develop if someone takes high doses of certain medicines like prednisone, antidepressants, corticosteroids, and seizure medicines for a long period of time. These medicines may cause one to gain weight by increasing one’s appetite, slowing the rate at which the body burns calories or cause the body to hold on to extra water.

Symptoms and Complications

Health risk factors that are associated with obesity include; breathing disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, cardiovascular disease like stroke and heart attack, diabetes, certain types of cancers like bowel and prostate cancer in men, uterine and breast cancer in women, gallbladder or liver disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and congenital heart disease (Ogden et al., 2006). Other Symptoms and complications that can be experienced by individuals who are obese may include; a higher than normal body mass index (BMI), increased sweating, difficulty in doing physical activities, feeling very tired most of the time, snoring, joint and back pain.

People who are overweight or obese may exhibit the symptoms and complications of medical conditions stated above. High cholesterol levels, high blood pressure (hypertension), breathing difficulties, and joint pain (especially in the knees or lower back) are always common. The chances of getting exposed to these medical problems related to obesity are likely to be worse when a

person is being more obese. Apart from medical complications, obesity is also associated with psychosocial problems such as low confidence and self-esteem, feeling isolated in society, difficulty in getting an employment, discrimination as well as reduced quality of life.

Diagnosis

Body mass index (BMI) is the most reliable way and widely used way to find out if an individual is overweight or obese. BMI measurement estimates and does not directly determine the amount of body’s fat, but it is an important tool for the assessment of the health risk linked to being overweight or obese. Calculations of an individual BMI is done from their weight and height in kilograms (kg) and meters (m) respectively, instead of pounds (lb) and inches/feet. Nevertheless, it is not always accurate but it is a useful measure for many people (Monteiro et al., 2004). For example, the normal BMI calculated may not be accurate if a person is very muscular, for the reason that muscle can add extra kilograms and that may mean one has a high BMI when they are not an unhealthy weight.

BMI does not have some limits, therefore, it can be used for most men and women, sometimes it may tend to overestimate an athlete’s body fat and those who are muscularly built. And it may underestimate older people’s body fat and those who have lost muscle. Overweight and obesity are defined differently for children and teens than for adults, BMIs for teens and children compare their weights and heights against growth charts provided by NHLBI that take age and sex into considerations. This is termed as BMI-for-age percentile; it shows how a kid’s BMI compares with other kids

of the same age.

General physical examinations can also be used for checking vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and abdominal examination (Noël et al., 2010). Physical examination can also be done by listening to the patient’s heart and lungs as well as examining of the abdomen. Apart from physical examinations, the physician may conduct several blood tests depending on any current symptoms one may be having concerning their health and risk factors, these tests may include a fasting glucose, liver function tests, a cholesterol test, a thyroid test and others. Additionally, obesity can be diagnosed through consultation by general practitioners –this involves asking the patient questions to find out the possibly underlying causes of obesity. Health care professional may review an individual’s exercise habits, weight-loss efforts, weight history, eating patterns, what other conditions one may have, stress levels, medications, and other issues relating to health.

The physician may also choose to check for other health problems in a patient suffering from obesity if they are known to have health problems, and the evaluation will be conducted if found. The doctor may also check for the possibility of other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Gathering all this information will help one as well as the doctor to determine how much weight such an individual need to lose and what health risks or conditions they may be exposed to. Besides, this information will guide treatment decisions.

Treatment and Prevention of Obesity

Doing exercises that are moderately intense physical activities can help an individual to prevent and lose weight (Bagchi & Preuss, 2012). Fast walking and swimming are examples of moderately intense physical activities.

Eating fewer calories and being physically active is essential in losing weight and keep weight excess fat that might accumulate. The four major types of physical activities are aerobics, stretching, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening; an individual can do physical activity with an intensity that is light, moderate, or vigorous.

Exercising improves the overall health of a person and can help in reducing the risk of diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes among others. Regular physical activity does not necessarily mean one has to join the nearest gym but to engage in simple activities like using the stairs instead of taking elevators, cycling or walking to work and, if possible, leaving the car at home.

Another way of preventing being overweight or obesity is by monitoring weight regularly –weighing the body at least once a week to check excess pounds and detect even small weight gains amounts. This way one can be able to detect even the slight changes in weight and prevent the incidences of obesity at an early stage before they become big problems. Also, through weight monitoring, one can easily tell whether their efforts or strategies are working or not. Sometimes a person can be severely obese, and in that case, they may opt for bariatric surgery (BMI of 40 or more), and when alternative treatments have failed. Weight-loss surgery can be important in helping one to lose weight and improve health it can be risky procedure depending on one’s overall health. That is why it is rarely recommended as the first treatment option.

Medication –Using different of anti-obesity such as Orlistat (Xenical) to prevent a third of the fat consumed in the

food stuff (Jakicic & Otto, 2005). Orlistat is the only anti-obesity medication has proven to be effective and safe for use after several clinical trials and tests. The drug helps an individual to avoid gaining of weight but does not cause someone to lose weight. Hence, it is still essential for one to stick to the recommended exercise and diet plan. Orlistat functions to reduce the absorption of fat calories, fats, and vitamins A, D, E, and K thereby promoting weight loss. However, it can cause mild side effects such as loose and oily stools due to undigested fat that is not being absorbed into the body.

Additionally, for an individual to maintain good shape and weight, one needs to have a healthy eating plan which supplements the body with all necessary nutrients that the body needs in small required amounts every day, to have just enough calories for good health. At the same time, one does not need to have very low-calorie diet in a day unless recommended by the doctor. Calories fewer than 800 in a day should not be used unless otherwise. A healthy eating plan consists of low in saturated fat, cholesterol, trans-fat, added sugar and sodium (salt). By following a healthy eating plan, the risk for heart disease and other conditions is greatly reduced.

Conclusion

Obesity today is a condition that is exponentially on the rise and it will keep on rising unless something is done about it, like sensitizing the general public on how bad it really is and encourage people to adopt health-enhancing lifestyle. Obesity might be viewed as one’s choice, it takes determination and efforts to stay in shape and

it can also be fun. A person needs to eat healthy, stay active always as well as making good life choices. Obesity has emerged to be the most common type of malnutrition today, but the problem can be solved by having healthier food choices and a lifelong diet plan. Exercising is also essential to keep fit and utilize any extra calories. Eating healthy and doing exercise regularly should be part of a lifelong daily routine to be free from being overweight and obese.

References

1. Bagchi, D., & Preuss, H. G. (Eds.). (2012). Obesity: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and prevention. CRC press.
2. Bouchard, C., & Pérusse, L. (2003). The genetics of human obesity.International Textbook of Diabetes Mellitus.
3. Friel, S., & Lichacz, W. (2010). Unequal food systems, unhealthy diets. Food security, nutrition and sustainability, 115-129.
4. Jakicic, J. M., & Otto, A. D. (2005). Physical activity considerations for the treatment and prevention of obesity. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 82(1), 226S-229S.
5. Monteiro, C. A., Moura, E. C., Conde, W. L., & Popkin, B. M. (2004). Socioeconomic status and obesity in adult populations of developing countries: a review. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 82(12), 940-946.
6. Noël, P. H., Copeland, L. A., Pugh, M. J., Kahwati, L., Tsevat, J., Nelson, K., ... & Hazuda, H. P. (2010). Obesity diagnosis and care practices in the Veterans Health Administration. Journal of general internal medicine, 25(6), 510-516.
7. Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., & Flegal, K. M. (2006). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999- 2004. Jama, 295(13), 1549-1555.
8. Wang, Y., Beydoun, M. A., Liang, L., Caballero, B. and Kumanyika, S. K.
   

(2008), Will All Americans Become Overweight or Obese?