What Is Obesity?
The word obesity has become synonymous with being fat and unhealthy. However, this is not the whole picture. Obesity can be a measure of excess body fat that puts you at risk for developing weight-related diseases like diabetes and hypertension. But being overweight or even obese is not always bad for your health; it all depends on how you get there.
A person may be considered as obese when their body fat percentage exceeds the normal range for their gender and height. Dr. Rakesh Srivastava wrote a complete book that explains what obesity is, what causes it, and its various types, along with its risks and solutions to tackle this problem.
What Causes Obesity?
Obesity is defined as an absurd portion of fat in the body. It is caused by eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity to burn those calories off. It can be difficult to lose weight if you are eating more calories than you are burning. Many people are overweight or obese. Obesity increases the risk of health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, and certain cancers
(Dr. Rakesh Srivastava).
The main causes of obesity are:
- Increased calorie intake: Eating high-calorie foods such as refined carbohydrates (sugars), sweets, junk foods, and saturated fats (found in dairy products and meat), along with a sedentary lifestyle, is the major cause of obesity.
- Insufficient amount of physical activity: People are spending more time working at desks and using computers. The lack of physical activity combined with an unhealthy diet contributes to obesity.
- Inherited traits: Some people inherit genes that make them more likely to be obese.
Different Types of Obesity
There are two types of obesity that you should know about.
Central Obesity: This is mostly associated with abdominal obesity and is usually a result of excessive fat around your midsection. This fat can lead to serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even certain types of cancers.
General Obesity: This is the result of excessive fat all over your body. It is seen in people who have large thighs, arms, or calves. General obesity does not have as many health risks as abdominal obesity.
Effects of Obesity
Obesity is the leading cause of many chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, which can be fatal.
Poor self-image: A poor self-image is a common effect of obesity. Some people are too embarrassed to go to a beach or a swimming pool. They are worried they will be judged by others because of their weight.
Difficulties in daily activities: Excessive weight can lead to joint problems, making simple activities like climbing stairs or walking difficult. It can also affect your ability to perform certain jobs.
Increased risk of heart disease: Excess weight increases the risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes.
Increased risk of certain types of cancer: Excess weight is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancers, including breast, colon, and endometrial cancers
Obesity prevention
Dr. Rakesh Srivastava is a weight-loss specialist, nutritionist, and endovascular surgeon with excellent credentials. Dr. Srivastava says that one should be extremely careful about the diet when it comes to fighting obesity in childhood. You need to make sure that you have enough fiber and protein in your child’s diet, especially since they are growing rapidly at this age.”
Dr. Srivastava Rakesh has been featured in many international media, where he talks about his work on obesity prevention by using lifestyle modification techniques such as dieting or bariatric surgery along with conventional medical treatment like medicines or injections etc., which is ideally suited for children as well as adults suffering from severe obesity problems who need immediate intervention before their health deteriorates further due to complications associated with overweight conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), hypertension/high blood pressure (HTN/HBH), metabolic syndrome (MS), etc.
Obesity is the result of consuming too many calories and not getting enough physical activity to burn those calories off. Although it is an issue that affects people of all ages, it’s especially dangerous for teens because they are still growing and need the right nutrients to help their bodies develop properly.
If you are concerned about your weight, consult with your physician. They can help you come up with a plan to reach and maintain a healthy weight. And whatever you do, don’t diet. Instead, work towards a long-term health goal like maintaining a healthy weight or exercising more.
Website: Dr. Rakesh Srivastava