Obesity: Causes, Impacts, and Preventive Measures

OBESITY
INTRODUCTION
Obesity is when excessive fat in the body increases the risk of several health problems.
This health condition refers to a state where the problem becomes a disease. According
to WHO, obesity has globally become more than doubled since 1980 (“Obesity and
Overweight”, 2017). There are numerous causes of obesity for instance, overeating,
genetics and physical inactivity. Obesity increases risk of various other diseases such
as coronary artery disease and diabetes. Obesity is a threat to mankind; health and
society are impacted due to weight gain and obesity. Due to overeating the rate of
sugar in the body increases which leads to diabetes (Matias, Dewey and Gunderson,
2014). As compared to men, rate of obesity in women is higher which is increasing day
by day. Abnormal collection of body fat which causes the body mass index to rise over
the range of 30 kg/m2is also referred as obesity.
Statistical graph of obesity among women and men
Figure 1: Rate of Obesity
(Global obesity rates continue to climb, 2016)
The statistical data depicts the variation among men and women in terms of obesity which
made it lucid to understand that women are getting obese at higher rate as compared to
men back then in 1975 and even recently in 2014 (Global obesity rates continue to climb,
2016).
Figure 2: Health risks of Obesity
(Health Risks of Being Overweight or Obese, 2016)
SYMPTOMS OF OBESITY
Breathing disorders and high blood pressure signals obesity. Abdominal fat
deposition on lungs causes breathing problem such as asthma. Studies have
shown that out of majority of the people suffering from asthma 38% of them
are overweight and 92% of them fall under the obese category (Mandal, n.d.).
Figure 3: Relationships among obesity, diabetes, and periodontal disease
(Shimazaki and Saito, 2000)
HEALTH DISORDER CAUSED DUE TO OBESITY
Women who are obese or overweighed, tend to consume more food which
causes in-creation of carbohydrates. During digestion, carbohydrates breaks
down into sugar and when the level of sugar is high in the blood, diabetes is
caused. Further, Periodontitis is a type of Gum disease that is also caused when
there is change in glucose level in the body.
CAUSES OF OBESITY
Consuming food that is highly caloric and irregular sleeping patterns
cause obesity. Disturbance in sleeping patterns causes hormonal changes which
makes an individual crave more for high caloric and fatty foods. In addition, the
part of the brain which controls the diet regulation is effected by sleep
reduction. Less sleep causes secretion of ghrelin hormone which leads to
expanded diet and leptin which specifies when the body is satiated (Blackwell,
2012).
IMPACTS OF OBESITY
Obesity impacts individuals by causing depression and impacts society by increasing
mortality rates. Studies have depicted that 25% overweight individuals tend to
experience mood swings causing frequent depression as compared to non-obese and
healthy individuals. Weight gain causes depression and so does the disease due to
weight gain. In addition, depression not only causes obesity but also causes diabetes by
lowering the blood sugar level causing recurrent hunger and making the individuals
consume excessive amount of food which in turn makes the health condition worse
(Miettinen, Rönö & Gylling, 2014).
PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL OBESITY
To control the leading health problem called obesity, individuals should maintain
adequate amount of balanced diet, stability in blood sugar level and also should engage in
physical activities in order to prevent fat accumulation in the body. Individuals must
consume diet comprising of all the vital nutrients in right proportion to maintain their
BMI under 30 kg/m2 and to shed extra amount of fat stored (Bray and Popkin, 2014).
Major focus must be kept on healthy green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits to prevent
weight gain leading to obesity.
REFERENCES
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37(4). 950-956.
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Shimazaki, Yoshihiro & Saito, Toshiyuki (2000). [Image]. Metabolic disorders related to obesity and periodontal disease. Periodontology. 43. pp. 254-266
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