Obesity in Adults and Children
Introduction
An obese person is one who has an excessive amount of fat which is normally
measured as a percentage of the body weight. Naturally, a woman’s body
contains a higher percentage of fat than a man’s. Obesity in men starts
above 25% fat while in women it starts above 30% fat. Body Mass Index (BMI)
which is used as a predictor of risk of suffering from obesity related diseases
and dying prematurely, takes the height into account, but not the different
body shapes and bone structure. A BMI of more than 30kg/m2 indicates obesity.
Obesity brings with it a number of health problems and the risk of morbidity
and premature death from related diseases. The risk increases with the body
fat percentage and with BMI.. Obesity is more common in western societies and
in urban communities in other parts of the world, indicating that diet and
lifestyle factors are the major contributors in this modern global epidemic.
The number of obese people is still increasing and in recent years the rapid
increase in obese children in western societies has become a major concern.
The Symptoms
Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30 Kg/m2.
Body fat percentage above 25 in men and above 30 in women
The Causes
In adults, obesity can be caused by the following factors:
- A lack of adequate exercise, a sedentary life (excessive television
watching has been associated with increasing obesity).
- The consumption of too much refined carbohydrates leading to insulin
resistance.
- Hypoglycaemia (tendency to very low blood sugar levels).
- Allergy and food sensitivity.
- Hormonal imbalances, poor function of the following glands: the hypothalamus,
pituitary, pineal, thyroid and adrenal glands, and the pancreas.
- A history of emotional upsets that result in comfort eating and in
food abuse.
- Poor infant weaning practices.
The causes of obesity in children are listed below:
- Television watching, contributing to reduced physical activity.
- Poor weaning practices.
- Nutrient deficiencies and imbalances.
- Over-consumption of junk food high in sugar, salt and fat and low in
essential nutrients.
- Emotional and psychological problems that may lead to comfort eating.
- Overfeeding small children on empty calories.
Who is at Risk?
- Women between 24 and 35 years are at highest risk.
- Menopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Men in middle age.
Health Risks Associated with Obesity
In many scientific studies obesity has been associated with an increased risk
of suffering or dying from various chronic diseases. Below is the list of chronic
diseases that an obese person is more likely to suffer from at some point in
their life, especially in their later years:
- Cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks.
- Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (adult-onset diabetes).
- Osteo-arthritis due to increased wear and tear on the joints because
of the excess body weight.
- Gout in people who are predisposed to it.
- Gallstones due to increased output of low salt bile.
- Cancer of the breast, ovary, uterus, cervix, the endometrium and gall
bladder in women.
- Cancer of the prostate, colon and rectum in men.
- Infertility problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Increased blood cholesterol.
Those who are excessively overweight, have a problem in maintaining normal
healthy weight or are exposed to any of the above risks, should consider
**Nutritional
consultation, Hidden Food Allergy Tests and
a visit to their doctor
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