Fat is often synonymous with funny, in our minds. The popular image of those amply endowed is that of bumbling, happy-go-lucky people who, quite cheerfully, end up being the butt of jokes. But obesity is no laughing matter really.

What obesity means
Obesity refers to a situation where an individual`s body weight is far in excess of that considered normal. This condition has significant repercussions on the physical and mental state of health of those affected by it.

But body types differ widely - while some people have a inherently lean, others have a bulkier or rounder physique. What is the basis for classifying individuals as obese? Ordinarily, all those with a body mass index (or BMI - a formula that calculates ideal weight based on one`s height) over 30 are classed as obese. Those with a BMI higher than 40 are considered morbidly obese.

Lifestyle habits
Essentially, obesity is caused by eating more calories than your body can use. Ideally, calories in the food you eat go on to provide the body with the energy it requires to perform its various functions. But when there are more calories, these get stored in the body as fat. Overtime, this accumulation of excess fat results in obesity.

• Unhealthy eating: Faulty eating patterns are often at the root of obesity. For instance, eating too much, or eating the wrong kind of foods, such as fried items or junk foods that are rich in calories while being nutritionally deficient, can lead to obesity. Wrong eating patterns, such as skipping meals, leading to uncontrolled binging later, is another reason for obesity. Drinking alcohol too contributes to excess bodyweight.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Another common reason for obesity is lack of physical activity. Most of us today live pretty sedentary lives with few opportunities for burning the calories we eat, which simply add on as fat.
• Other conditions: Presence of medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, or a genetic predisposition to putting on weight, may be responsible for obesity in some individuals.

A health hazard
Obesity adversely affects the quality of life of people affected by it, and at worst, can lead to a host of complications.

Some of the unpleasant symptoms of obesity include:

• Difficulty breathing normally and getting tired easily
• Feeling hot and perspiring
• Disturbed sleep, snoring and disorders such as sleep apnea
• Occurrence of infection in the folds of the skin
• Reduced or hampered mobility
• Loss of self esteem and social interaction

When left unaddressed, obesity often leads to more serious conditions. These include:

• Type II diabetes
• Heart disease or cardiovascular complications
• Cancers, especially of the breast, cervix, ovaries, prostrate or rectum
• Gynecological problems including infertility
• Gall bladder and kidney diseases and stroke
• Arthritis
• Sexual problems
• Depression

Getting help
If you are obese, your best option would be to seek medical help. Your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment determined by the diagnosis as to the cause of your problem.

Typically, the most important recommendations to help you lose weight will involve:

• Diet control: The doctor or a dietician will draw up a food chart for you to follow. Typically this will entail cutting down on fats, choosing fiber rich complex carbohydrates and watching your calories. You may also be advised to cut down on random snacking and to have meals on time.
• Regular exercise: The doctor or physiotherapist will help you to plan a regular exercise routine for you to follow. Make sure to follow the instructions; overdoing exercise may be as harmful as neglecting them, so ensure balance.

  Your doctor may also suggest learning stress management techniques, such as yoga or meditation, to help you handle stress better and motivate you to bring in the required positive changes in your life.

  Sometimes, medication or surgery may also be recommended to help you lose the required amount of weight. However, what is important is that you are able to maintain your target weight once you achieve it.

  Powered by
  
  

  Image: Flickr/CreativeCommons