Over the years, in the United States and across the world, obesity rates have increased significantly. Obesity is a condition that occurs when a person has excess weight or body fat that might affect their health. A doctor will usually suggest that a person has obesity if they have a high body mass index (BMI). This is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern. It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. There are many reasons why some people have difficulty losing weight. Usually, obesity results from inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with diet, physical activity and exercise choices.
In adults, obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30.0 or more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity is associated with a higher risk for serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Obesity is common. The CDC estimates that 42.4 percent of Americans 20 years old and older had obesity in 2017 to 2018. But BMI isn’t everything. It has some limitations as a metric. Factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, and muscle mass can influence the relationship between BMI and body fat. Also, BMI doesn’t distinguish between excess fat, muscle, or bone mass, nor does it provide any indication of the distribution of fat among individuals. Despite these limitations, BMI continues to be widely used as a way to measure body size. This has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Over two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and one in three Americans is obese. The prevalence of obesity in children has increased markedly. Obesity has also been increasing rapidly throughout the world, and the incidence of obesity nearly doubled from 1991 to 1998. In 2015, nearly 40% of adults were obese in the U.S.
What Causes Obesity?
Obesity usually results from a combination of causes and contributing factors:
· Family inheritance and influences
The genes you inherit from your parents may affect the amount of body fat you store, and where that fat is distributed. Genetics may also play a role in how efficiently your body converts food into energy, how your body regulates your appetite and how your body burns calories during exercise. Obesity tends to run in families. That’s not just because of the genes they share. Family members also tend to share similar eating and activity habits.
· Lifestyle choices
· Unhealthy diet. A diet that’s high in calories, lacking in fruits and vegetables, full of fast food, and laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions contributes to weight gain.
· Liquid calories. People can drink many calories without feeling full, especially calories from alcohol. Other high-calorie beverages, such as sugared soft drinks, can contribute to significant weight gain.
· Inactivity. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily take in more calories every day than you burn through exercise and routine daily activities. Looking at computer, tablet and phone screens is a sedentary activity. The number of hours spent in front of a screen is highly associated with weight gain.
What Are The Health Risks Associated With Obesity?
Obesity is harmful to one’s health as it is a risk factor for many conditions. People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems. Obesity can lead to more than simple weight gain. Excess weight can
be hard on your whole body. More than 50 health problems are related to excess weight and obesity. These health problems are diseases and conditions that can decrease your quality of life and are commonly called obesity-related conditions. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about these conditions. This has been linked to a number of health complications, some of which can be life threatening if not treated:
· type 2 diabetes
· heart disease
· high blood pressure
· certain cancers (breast, colon, and endometrial)
· stroke
· gallbladder disease
· fatty liver disease
· high cholesterol
· sleep apnea and other breathing problems
· arthritis
· infertility
Which Medications are Prescribed for Weight Loss?
Your doctor may also prescribe certain prescription weight loss medications in addition to eating and exercise plans. Medications are usually prescribed only if other methods of weight loss haven’t worked and if you have a BMI of 27.0 or more in addition to obesity-related health issues. Prescription weight loss medications either prevent the absorption of fat or suppress appetite. The following are approved for long-term use (at least 12 weeks) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda) and orlistat (Alli, Xenical), the only one that’s FDA-approved for use in children 12 years old and older. These drugs can have unpleasant side effects. For example, orlistat can lead to oily and frequent bowel movements, bowel urgency, and gas. Your doctor will monitor you closely while you’re taking these medications.
Which Lifestyle and Behavioral Changes Can Help with Weight Loss?
Your healthcare team can educate you on food choices and help develop a healthy eating plan that works for you. A structured exercise program and increased daily activity will help build up your strength, endurance, and metabolism. Counseling or support groups may also identify unhealthy triggers and help you cope with any anxiety, depression, or emotional eating issues. Lifestyle and behavioral changes are the preferred weight loss methods for children, unless they’re extremely overweight. Exercise as a treatment for obesity is most effective when combined with a diet and weight-loss program. Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight for the long term. Another advantage of regular exercise as part of a weight-loss program is a greater loss of body fat versus lean muscle compared to those who diet alone.
Obesity prompts a strenuous diet in the hopes of reaching the ideal body weight. Many factors play a role in the development of obesity. Genetic traits can increase the risk in some people. Eating a healthy diet that contains plenty of fresh foods and getting regular exercise will reduce the risk of obesity in most people. Buy online at www.usascripthelpers.com. USA Script Helpers has over 10 years of expertise in providing prescription and over-the-counter medication needs to millions of Americans. USH not only offers wide variety of human medications but also for PetMeds. USA Script Helpers is committed to providing quality and affordable medications to all Americans.
