Slimming Diet Tips

Obesity is a health problem that causes many severe diseases, besides hampering your normal personal and social activities. It can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Find out more about the risk factors of obesity.

Obesity is a growing health problem and is characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the body. It is usually assessed with the help of BMI or body mass index, which is measured by comparing the height and weight of an individual. If the body mass index of an individual is 30 or above, then he or she can be declared as obese. On the other hand, if it exceeds 40, it is termed as morbid obesity. Sometimes, a measure of the waists circumference, can also give an idea about obesity.

Obesity is a growing concern for a vast majority of people, especially in developed countries. There can be many factors, from genetic to environmental, that can lead to obesity. Obesity is often observed in individuals whose parents or other family members are obese. Genetics is a major risk factor of obesity, as genes are responsible for determining the appetite and metabolism or the conversion of food into energy. Besides, they also determine the storage and distribution of fat. Other than genetics, lifestyle and eating habits also play a significant role, as often the members of the same family tend to develop the same kind of habits.

Physical exercise and activities help us remain fit and sound, by burning down the excess calories. So, a lack of physical activity coupled with over consumption of high calorie foods, can lead to excessive weight gain. Another important risk factor of obesity can be age. Though, obesity can occur in any age group, the risk of developing it, increases with growing age, as many hormonal changes take place within our body. This, along with a reduction in physical activity, can lead to weight gain. Besides, calorie requirements reduce with advancing age and so it is essential to reduce to calorie intake to prevent the accumulation of excess fat.
Sometimes, certain medications like antidepressants, steroids, diabetes medications, anti-seizure medications and beta blockers, can be responsible for obesity. In addition to this, sleep deprivation is another important factor of obesity, as it can increase appetite and cause hormonal changes. In women, sometimes the weight gain during pregnancy can lead to obesity, as many women fail to lose weight even after delivery. Another association has been witnessed between quitting smoking and weight gain, which can also occasionally lead to obesity. Moreover, it has been observed that people who are obese, usually have obese friends and relatives, as they tend to have the same kind of habits like eating fast foods or fried foods.

Obesity can be an important risk factor for a number of health related complications including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, heart stroke, diabetes, liver diseases, osteoarthritis, certain forms of cancer like cancer of the uterus, ovaries, colon, rectum and prostate. Though, the genetic factors responsible for causing obesity can’t be controlled properly, the environmental factors, on the other hand can be effectively controlled with a change in lifestyle and eating habits. Substituting high calorie and fast foods with fruits and fresh vegetables, can prove beneficial in preventing weight gain. This should be complemented by physical activities and exercise, which can help in losing excess weight and thereby controlling obesity.

Risk factors for obesity include:

Poor Diet – If you eat high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, you are likely to eat more calories than your burn each day, thus increasing your risk of becoming obese.

Lack of Physical Activity – If you don’t get enough physical activity (exercise), you are likely to burn fewer calories than you eat each day, thus increasing your risk of becoming obese.

Working Varied Shifts – Working shifts at different times of the day and night increases your risk of becoming obese.

Medical Conditions and Medications – Certain medications, rare hereditary diseases, and hormonal imbalances (such as hypothyroid and Cushing’s disease) increase your risk of obesity.

Quitting Smoking – When you stop smoking your weight may increase. However, this tendency may be overcome by reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. Overall, the health benefits of quitting smoking far exceed the risk of gaining weight.

Age – The incidence of obesity more than doubles between the ages of 20 and 55. However, this may be related to a decrease in activity levels. A recent study found that within 30 years, over half of a large group of normal-weight men and women became overweight.

Genetic Factors – Specific, rare hereditary diseases may increase the risk of obesity. In addition, there seems to be a general tendency for obesity to run in some families, though the reason for this is not well understood.

Race – There is a higher incidence of obesity among certain races or ethnic groups. In the United States, obesity affects 66% of middle-aged black women and 68% of Mexican American women, compared with 45% of white women.

By Chandramita Bora