Obesity is an epidemic chronic disease that has a significant detrimental impact on health, life expectancy markedly and increased morbidity and mortality.
The diagnosis is done by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI) through dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. If the calculated number is:
BMI: Classification/Category
- Below 18.5 kg/m2 – Underweight
- Between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 –healthy weight range
- Between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2 –overweight
- Between 30 and 34.9 kg/m2 –obesity class 1
- Between 35 and 39.9 kg/m2 –obesity class 2
- Above 40 kg/m2 –obesity class 3( severe Obesity)
Another method of measuring obesity and its risks for diseases is measuring waist circumference.
- For men,
- Low risk: below 94 cm
- High risk: 94–102 cm
- Very high: more than 102 cm
- For women,
- Low risk: below 80 cm
- High risk: 80–88 cm
- Very high: more than 88 cm.
People with obesity are more likely to develop several potentially serious health problems, including metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels), and also heart and vascular diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, Asthma, heartburn, Gastrointestinal reflux disease, osteoarthritis, Joint degenerative disorders, fatty liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and non-Alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and other liver problems, gallbladder disease, Psychosocial disturbances, Pseudotumor cerebri, sexual problems, erectile dysfunction, Poly cystic ovary syndrome and infertility, urinary incontinence, and Chronic kidney disease. Obesity is associated with an elevated risk of certain types of cancers, including esophagus, stomach, colorectal, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, breast, endometrial, and ovary.
The causes of obesity are complex and most of the time they are intertwined.
- There are genetic and hereditary factors that play a great role in obesity. The genes one inherits from their parents affect the amount of fat body stores, and where that fat is distributed. It also affects how efficiently the body converts food into energy, and how the body regulates appetite.
- Another reason for obesity is poor lifestyle choices. This includes unhealthy eating habits, such as consuming foods that are very high in calories and eating oversized portions.
- Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle.
- 4-There are some medical conditions that can cause obesity, such as underactive thyroid, high cortisol levels in the body, Prader-Willi syndrome, and arthritis. Also, some medications can cause weight gain if a person is taking them, such as cortisone, steroids, some antidepressants, and some epilepsy drugs.
- Aging. As the person ages, the amount of muscle in the body decreases and the rate of metabolism decreases. This makes the body more prone to accumulate fat and gain weight.
- Other factors, such as pregnancy, psychological stress and diseases, sleep disorders, quitting smoking and others can also lead to obesity.
