Obesity: Mother of all diseases?

Introduction:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Overweight and Obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.

Causes:

Many factors contribute to the prevalence of obesity. Some of them include:

· Physical inactivity:

When a person is relatively inactive in his/her daily routine than he/she should be, he/she is more prone to obesity.

· Overeating:

Eating calories more than a person uses daily is a major cause of obesity. Especially eating a diet full of fatty materials and simple carbohydrates more than the body’s need can lead to obesity.

· Stress and Depression:

Emotions especially stress and depression, in some people, influence eating habits. Such people eat more in response to these emotions and thus are more likely to develop obesity.

· Genetics:

A person is more likely to develop obesity if one or both parents are obese. Genetics also affect hormones involved in fat regulation.

· Old age:

Old age can also be a cause of obesity. Obesity in old women is more common than in old men especially during menopause (cessation of the menstrual cycle).

· Pregnancy:

Obesity can also be developed during or after pregnancy.

· Insufficient sleep:

Insufficient or lack of sleep causes hormone imbalance in the body which can lead to overeating and thus developing obesity.

Effects:

Obesity can lead to many deadly and fatal diseases. Obesity, today, has been linked to more than 60 chronic diseases. Following are some common diseases related to obesity:

· Diabetes type 2

· Heart diseases

· High blood pressure

· Certain cancers

· Infertility

· Arthritis

· Stroke

“Obesity affects every aspect of a people’s lives, from health to relationships” .

Jane Velez-Mitchell

Why mother of all diseases?

Obesity is linked to many acute and chronic diseases of the human body. In fact, obesity is considered the main reason for developing some most common but deadly diseases. These include Myocardial Infarction which is commonly called a Heart attack, Diabetes Mellitus type 2, Stroke, etc.

Overweight and obesity also increase the risk for cancer, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, coronary heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, pulmonary embolism, gall bladder diseases and stones, non-alcoholic fatty liver, gout, bone, and joint disorders, breathing problems (obstructive sleep apnea), obesity hyperventilation, asthma, complications during anesthesia, complications during pregnancy including birth defects and death of a fetus in the womb, menstrual disorders, infertility, migraine, multiple sclerosis, depression, erectile dysfunction, etc. Thus, Obesity can be called as Mother of All Diseases.

Obesity and Diabetes Type 2:

Obesity plays an important role in the development of Insulin Resistance which is the basis of Diabetes Type 2.

There are three ways to develop insulin resistance:

· Fat Metabolism Disruption:

Obesity causes changes to the body’s metabolism. These changes cause fat tissue (adipose tissue) to release fat molecules into the blood, which can affect insulin-responsive cells and lead to reduced insulin sensitivity. These free fatty acid molecules are taken up by muscles and the liver which in turn cause an increase in the triglycerides in these organs. Intracellular triglycerides and products of fatty acid metabolism are potent inhibitors of insulin signaling and result in an acquired insulin resistance state.

· Role of Adipokines:

Adipose tissue is not only a passive storage depot for fat; it also is an endocrine organ that releases hormones in response to changes in metabolic status. These hormones are called Adipokines. Some of these promote an increase in blood glucose levels and contribute to Diabetes. Some of this called Adiponectin that decreases blood sugar levels are released in less amount or are totally inhibited due to obesity. This also leads to Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.

· Inflammation:

Studies suggest that abdominal fat causes fat cells to release ‘pro-inflammatory’ chemicals, which can make the body less sensitive to the insulin it produces, by disrupting the function of insulin-responsive cells and their ability to respond to insulin. This leads to insulin resistance and finally diabetes.

How to reduce Obesity:

Exercise:

The very first and easiest way to control obesity is to adopt the habit of exercise. Physical activity can help a person to utilize the calories he eats rather than storing them in form of fats and getting obese. The optimum regular physical activity is 60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults.

Moreover, obese people can also burn their stored fat to get rid of obesity.

Proper Diet:

Another step towards reducing obesity is to take proper diet. This includes:

· Eat more nutritious foods that have “low energy density.” Examples of low energy-dense foods include vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, grains, and beans.

· Eat less “energy-dense foods.” Energy-dense foods are high in fats and simple sugars. Examples of high-energy dense foods include red meat, egg yolks, fried foods, high fat/sugar fast foods, sweets, pastries, butter, and high-fat salad dressings.

· Eat more complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole-grain bread, fruits, and vegetables.

· Educate yourself in reading food labels and estimating calories and serving sizes.

· Consult a doctor before starting any dietary changes.

Medication:

Medication treatment of obesity should be used only in patients who have health risks related to obesity. Medications should only be used as an adjunct to diet modifications and an exercise program.

Surgery:

The surgical way of removing excess fat from the body is called Liposuction. Liposuction is a procedure that removes that kind of fat from the body that a person can’t get rid of from just exercise and controlling diet.

Why reduce?

On average, obese people have a shorter life span than those who are not obese. This is because obese people are more susceptible to different diseases and one of them can because of their death. Moreover, the quality of life in obese people is low. Therefore, an obese person should try to reduce obesity to make his life better and long-lasting.