Obesity is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide, including children. Talking about it is becoming increasingly necessary, because unfortunately there is still a lot of misinformation about it, and many people think that obesity is simply a "overeating" feature.
Functional nutritionist Juliana Pizzistema emphasizes that obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease, that is, a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. With today's lifestyle, where people race against time, unhealthy (and fast) eating has gained space, not to mention that individuals spend long periods sitting in front of the computer. All this associated with stress, few hours of sleep, smoking and genetic factors ?, explains.
Below you will find everything you need to know about obesity: diagnosis, causes, classification of different types, risk factors and treatments for the disease.
Major Causes Of Obesity
Giovanna Carpenti, an endocrinologist, Master of Technology and Health Care, and PhD in Endocrinology with an emphasis on Obesity from UNIFESP / EPM, points out that the causes of obesity can vary widely and include genetic, environmental, psychological and social factors. In this sense, the following may be mentioned:
Imbalance between ingested and burned calories: This is usually due to a diet with the ingestion of many caloric foods associated with lack of physical activity.
Read also: 14 tips for changing your cooking habits and preparing healthier meals
Genetic predisposition: There are individuals more likely to gain weight. As Giovanna exemplifies, there are people with lower metabolism rates than others. This hinders daily caloric expenditure and contributes to the imbalance of calories ingested and burned by the body.
Sedentary lifestyle: Many people find it difficult to exercise, and for work and / or even habit, they spend hours sitting in front of computers, moving very little throughout the day.
Food supply and harmful social habits: In today's lifestyle, the supply of processed foods and / or fast foods is huge, and the habits of? going out to eat or drink? with friends or family members are also rooted in society, which facilitates poor diet rich in calories and harmful ingredients.
Stress: With a hectic routine, the immediacy that today's society demands, few hours of sleep, compromises in all walks of life, among other factors, many people are stressed? This contributes significantly to weight gain, among other health problems.
These are just some of the possible causes and it is noteworthy that, in most cases, they are associated. For example, one eats many processed foods; during the week has an intense routine with few hours of sleep; And, to top it off, don't you find the time and / or feel like exercising? All this is associated, contributing significantly to weight gain.
Also read: 10 foods that nutritionists would like you not to eat
Diagnosis and types of obesity
Juliana explains that the diagnosis of obesity is made through anthropometric assessments (BMI, Skinfold, Circumferences and Bioimpedance).
BMI (Body Mass Index) will be defined if the patient is overweight, grade I obesity, grade II obesity or morbid obesity, as explained by the functional nutritionist:
- Overweight: BMI 25? 29.9
- Obesity Grade I: BMI 30? 34.9
- Obesity Grade II: BMI 35? 39.9
- Morbid obesity: BMI over 40
"Remembering that to classify an individual as obese, all anthropometric assessments must be analyzed," adds Juliana.
Disease Risks
Juliana points out that obesity can bring numerous health risks, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes;
- Hypertension;
- Cardiovascular problems;
- Thrombosis;
- Lymphedema;
- Cellulitis;
- Increased uric acid;
- Joint problems;
- Increased cholesterol;
- Apnea;
- Depression;
- Sterility;
- Menstrual disorder;
- Gastrointestinal disorders;
- Hepatic steatosis (fat in the liver);
- Gallstones;
- Hernia;
- Cancer;
- Renal insufficiency.
Thus, it is clear that, unlike many people think, obesity is not an aesthetic problem, but a disease that poses serious health risks and should therefore be treated.
Read also: 13 tips for healthy living without neuros
Obesity Treatment
Obesity requires treatment and, above all, real changes in behavior. Know the main methods used in this regard:
Nutritional education
It provides for the person to be reeducated about their eating and living habits and thus lose weight healthily and without further procedures. The practice of physical activity is also essential in this regard. Giovanna points out that dietary rehabilitation is indicated in all cases. • In case of overweight, without any other associated disease, only dietary rehabilitation is indicated. In cases of obesity or diseases associated with overweight, drug treatment is also necessary ?, explains.
Bariatric surgery
Juliana clarifies that bariatric surgery is indicated in individuals who have a BMI above 40 kg / m2 and have comorbidities such as diabetes 2, apnea, hypertension, heart disease, among others. • The procedure for starting surgery is delicate and in some cases time consuming. Continuous and thorough follow-up is required with a multidisciplinary team (nutritionist, psychologist, psychiatrist, endocrinologist and surgeon), where each professional must approve (or not) whether the patient is fit to perform the procedure ?.
Intragastric balloon
It is a procedure used temporarily to aid in weight loss. Placed by endoscopy, this balloon causes distension of the bottom of the stomach, stimulating satiety. It may be indicated preoperatively for patients with a BMI over 50 (overweight) who were unable to lose weight with clinical treatment and follow-up nutritionist and fitness coach. Remember that this is an auxiliary procedure and should have as an ally a healthy lifestyle (diet + physical activity)?
After the diagnosis, the doctor will tell the patient which treatment is best for you. Anyway, eating reeducation and adopting healthier lifestyle habits? like exercising, sleeping well, not smoking etc. ? are key when it comes to fighting obesity.
Read also: 24 Scientifically Proven Weight Loss Tips
Groups and risk factors
According to nutritionist Juliana, the main risk factors for obesity are:
- Diabetes;
- Family history;
- Smoking;
- Excessive use of alcohol;
- High cholesterol;
- Hypertension;
- Inadequate eating habits;
- Lymphatic system problems;
- Excessive stress;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Anxiety;
- Diseases (hereditary and / or hormonal imbalances).
Giovana points out that there are several factors that contribute to the development of obesity. However, fat accumulation is justified by two individual habits: physical inactivity coupled with poor diet. We say that they have a bad diet especially those people who give priority to sugars and calorie foods. Other important factors are stress, anxiety, alcohol abuse and the use of some types of medication ?, concludes the endocrinologist.
Obesity is undoubtedly a disease that must be taken seriously. It can even begin in childhood, so it is very important for parents to be aware of this possibility and to encourage healthy eating and living habits at home with their children.
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