Obesity is a progressive disease, which affects biological, psychological and social aspects of an individual's life; increasing the risk of mortality and decreasing quality of life.
Obesity is a serious health problem that causes serious damage to the body, leading to a decrease in life expectancy and quality of life. Obesity is a chronic disease characterised by excess body fat that can be detrimental to health. It occurs when calorie intake is greater than energy expenditure, leading to weight gain and accumulation of fat in the body. Its diagnosis is measured by the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obesity.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that obesity has tripled in incidence since 1975, reaching dramatic figures. Against this backdrop, World Obesity Day is celebrated every 4 March to encourage and support practical actions to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and reverse the global obesity crisis. In addition, obesity is an under-diagnosed and stigmatised disease, which reduces both life expectancy and quality of life dramatically. The root cause of overweight and obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.
Changes in dietary and physical activity habits are often a consequence of environmental and social changes associated with development and the lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transport, urban planning, environment, food processing, distribution and marketing, and education.
TYPES OF OBESITY
Obesity can be classified according to the distribution of the adipose tissue en:
Abdominal obesity, visceral/apple type. Also called android type with a predominance of adiposity in the upper half of the body: neck, shoulders and abdomen. This type of obesity is associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc.).
Femoral gluteal or gynoid/pear type obesity. With a predominance of adiposity in the buttocks, hips, thighs and lower half of the body.
CONSEQUENCES OF OBESITY
Overweight and obesity are not just about a few extra kilos. A high BMI is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Moreover, it transcends physical health because it has an equally damaging impact on self-esteem and emotional health.
Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when the concentration of glucose in the blood increases chronically. This is because cells in muscle, fat and liver create insulin resistance and do not take in sugar (glucose) for storage, raising blood sugar levels because the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to counteract it. Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage and other health problems.
High blood pressure High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a medical condition in which blood flows through the blood vessels with more force than normal. This overstresses the heart, damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and death.
Cardiovascular diseases Heart disease is a term used to describe several problems that can affect the heart. High blood pressure, abnormal concentrations of fats and glucose in the blood can increase the risk of developing heart disease. Blood fats, also called blood lipids, include HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off, caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain or neck. A stroke can damage brain tissue and prevent a person from being able to speak or move parts of their body. High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke.
Fatty liver diseases Fatty liver disease is a medical condition in which fatty acids build up in the liver. Fatty liver disease can lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis or even liver failure.
Risk of some cancers In all types of cancer, some of the body's cells begin to divide non-stop and spread to adjacent tissues. Being overweight or obese can increase the risk.
Kidney diseases In this type of disorders, the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter the blood of wastes and excess fluid properly. Obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, the most common causes of kidney disease. Even if a person does not have diabetes or high blood pressure, obesity itself can promote kidney disease and accelerate its progression.
Problems during pregnancy Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing certain health problems that can occur during pregnancy. Pregnant women who are overweight or obese may be more likely to develop certain health problems:
Obesity directly affects the emotional state, This is reflected in emotions such as anguish, anger, disgust, fear and shame; this association is attenuated by the physical illness.
Favoured by social stigmatisation, although they vary from person to person, the most common emotional side effects of obesity are low self-esteem, lack of social skills, distorted view of the body, depression, suicidal thoughts and self-punishment. These effects also vary by gender, as many men do not feel the social disadvantages of being overweight as much as women, who are negatively affected by the condition in terms of self-esteem and perceived well-being.
The prevention The prevention of obesity-related health problems should include strategies from childhood onwards, aimed at correcting excessive calorie intake, sedentary lifestyles, lack of nutritional knowledge, food marketing practices, transportation patterns and lack of opportunities for physical activity due to work or school schedules.
HOW TO PREVENT OBESITY
Overweight and obesity are caused by an energy mismatch between calories consumed through food and calories expended through daily activities. The body does not metabolise this excess and stores it as fat. Adequate nutrition and regular exercise help to improve the quality of life, as well as the quality of life of people with obesity. to diagnose optimal health status for weight control. The main recommendations are:
1- Limit consumption of foods that are rich in sugars and fats. It is advisable to reduce the consumption of sugar in certain foods. Eliminate sugary drinks such as soft drinks. Foods with large amounts of sugar such as pastries, jams or high-calorie desserts.
2- Eat fruit and vegetables several times a day, as well as pulses, whole grains and nuts.
3- Frequent physical activityThe recommended daily walking time is about 60 minutes per day for young people and 150 minutes per week for adults. If there is a high degree of obesity, it is recommended to start by walking 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace.
4- Stop smoking Smoking is associated with many diseases, but also with weight gain. In the long run it will be very beneficial for your health.
5- It is important to not to obsess This is important because, when it comes to weight loss, it is vital to lose fat not muscle, so the number on the scales may move little or not at all and the fat loss may be palpable.
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