{"id":3885,"date":"2021-02-03T01:41:56","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T00:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareers.co\/?p=3885"},"modified":"2024-02-18T13:07:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T12:07:35","slug":"how-to-prevent-obesity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthcareers.co\/how-to-prevent-obesity\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Obesity and Treat It in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
Obesity has grown from being seen as a personal health problem to becoming a global epidemic. Even though we have a pretty good idea <\/span>how to prevent obesity,<\/span> actually implementing the necessary steps in practice is anything but easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For most people, <\/span>working in today\u2019s world<\/span><\/a> means more screen time and less physical activity. Combine this with processed and sugary foods, and the body fails to burn as many calories as is required. Thus, it\u2019s no surprise that obesity has slowly become a public health issue.<\/span><\/p>\n According to WHO, over 650 million adults and 378 million children worldwide are obese. Furthermore, data from the CDC indicates that the prevalence of obesity in the United States is high. <\/span>Obesity statistics<\/span> show that approximately 93.3 million US adults and 13.7 million US children and teenagers are obese.<\/span><\/p>\n Obesity is a chronic disease that occurs when the body has an excess amount of fat. It increases the risk of developing multiple health conditions like stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n So, can obesity be cured or treated, and most importantly, how can it be prevented? This article will provide you with well-researched information that will enhance your understanding of obesity. Keep reading to learn more about this disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>heritability rate of obesity is between 40% and 70%<\/span><\/a>, indicating that a person is at risk of obesity if one or both of their parents are obese. Since genes play a vital role in our makeup, they also affect the hormone controlling fat regulation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Leptin, a fat-regulating hormone, sends signals to the brain to eat less when the body fat levels get too high. When this hormone is affected by genetics, it becomes deficient, and the brain fails to receive the control signals. This leads to overeating and consequently causes obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n Eating more food than your body can burn causes obesity. Consuming large portions that contain high amounts of fats and sugars increases your risk of obesity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fast food and obesity<\/span> are often linked together due to the high concentration of fats and calories in small portions of fast food. Consequently, obesity will occur when these high-energy foods are consumed continuously in supersized portions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lack of physical activity and overeating tend to go hand in hand and typically cause <\/span>morbid obesity<\/span>. Regular exercise and other activities help the body burn calories. An individual who fails to exercise and eats unhealthy is likely to be diagnosed with obesity at one point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In some people, obesity can occur because of a disease. Medical conditions like Cushing syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, hypothyroidism, arthritis, and depression can lead to weight gain. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces insufficient quantities of the thyroid hormone. The lack of this hormone slows down the metabolism rate and consequently causes weight gain.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Available <\/span>obesity facts<\/span> show that some prescribed medications may cause you to gain weight. The side effects of these medications may cause you to eat more than you usually do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They can also slow down your metabolism rate, causing your body to burn fewer calories. Medications used to treat depression, migraines, seizures, high blood pressure, and diabetes can increase weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Certain social and economic problems are closely linked to obesity. Lack of safe areas to exercise and take part in other physical activities will increase a person’s chances of obesity. Likewise, not having enough money to keep buying healthier food can also cause a person to become obese.<\/span><\/p>\n Most strategies for preventing and controlling obesity are often centered around children, teens, and adults who are already overweight or obese. However, with an increase in the number of obese preschoolers, it is crucial for babies to be afforded a healthy lifestyle, as obese babies tend to become obese adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, what <\/span>obesity prevention<\/span> strategies can be employed to ensure a healthy weight for babies?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Recent data from the CDC indicates that <\/span>childhood obesity<\/span> is highly prevalent in the US, affecting <\/span>13.7 million children and teens.<\/span><\/a> A child or a teenager is considered obese if they are in the 95th percentile or above on the growth chart.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Due to poor food choices, lack of physical activity, genetics, and other factors, it\u2019s not uncommon for children and adolescents to <\/span>become overweight or obese<\/span><\/a>. Here are some essential <\/span>obesity prevention<\/span> tips for children and teenagers:<\/span><\/p>\n Obesity in older adults<\/span> is far more common than in younger people. This is so because, as one grows older, the amount of muscle in the body decreases, which leads to a decrease in metabolism. This consequently reduces calorie needs and makes it easy to gain weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some recommended strategies that adults can use to prevent obesity and maintain the <\/span>ideal body weight<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, obesity does not have a universal cure or treatment that can immediately restore anyone to perfect health. Generally, treating obesity involves multiple approaches that require <\/span>significant lifestyle changes<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These changes may have to be permanent, as most people who lose weight gain it back in roughly five years. Below you\u2019ll find some treatment strategies that have been proven to help treat and manage obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n With the help of a dietician, therapist, and a weight specialist, most overweight and obese people can lose weight by sticking to a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activities.<\/span><\/p>\n However, it is important to set realistic weight loss goals as failure to do so can greatly affect your self-esteem and consequently your weight loss journey. A modest weight loss of 5%\u201310% can significantly improve your health. <\/span>Obese elderly<\/span> people should consult their doctors before engaging in vigorous physical activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) that is higher than 30 may require medication treatment. People with a BMI lower than 27 who are exposed to obesity-associated health risks like diabetes or high blood pressure may <\/span>need medications as well<\/span><\/a>. These anti-obesity drugs reduce appetite and create a sense of satiety. Naturally, they should be combined with a <\/span>healthy diet plan and regular exercise<\/span><\/a> and not used in place of them.<\/span><\/p>\n Surgical procedures are used to treat morbidly obese individuals with a BMI of over 40. Individuals with a BMI of 35 who have serious health complications also sometimes undergo surgery to help with weight loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These surgical treatments generally involve reducing the size of the stomach and slowing down digestion. In other cases, a part of the digestive system is removed to decrease food absorption.<\/span><\/p>\n Obesity is a complex chronic disease that is caused by a combination of several factors. Generally, obesity develops when your body contains more fat than it can burn through physical activities. <\/span>Obesity causes<\/span> may be related to genetics, overeating, lack of physical activity, diseases, medications, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Obesity is a serious disease that increases your risk of other deadly diseases and health conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Individuals suffering from obesity are at a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, stroke, depression, sleep apnea, liver disease, certain cancers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gallbladder problems, kidney failure, skin fold rashes, joint pain, and weakening of muscles and bones.<\/span><\/p>\n Obesity medical definition<\/span>, according to WHO, is abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body that presents a health risk. The body mass index (BMI) is used as a screening tool to determine if a person is obese or overweight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the CDC, a person is overweight or obese when they weigh more than what is considered healthy for their height. An adult is overweight if their BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9. Adults with a BMI of 30.0 or higher are considered obese.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n People living in certain populations are at a higher risk of obesity than others. Individuals aged 60 and above living in rural areas are more likely to suffer from obesity than their urban peers. Also, low-income families, Latino migrant farmworkers, Caucasians residing in Appalachia, Native Americans living on reservations, and African Americans living in the south are at a high risk of obesity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCommon <\/b>Causes of Obesity<\/b><\/h2>\n
Genetics<\/b><\/h3>\n
Overeating<\/b><\/h3>\n
Physical Inactivity<\/b><\/h3>\n
Diseases<\/b><\/h3>\n
Medications<\/b><\/h3>\n
Social and Economic Issues<\/b><\/h3>\n
Prevention and Control of Obesity<\/b> in Infants, Children, Teens, and Adults<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Infants<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Children and Teens<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Adults<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Obesity Treatment<\/b><\/h2>\n
Diet and Exercise<\/b><\/h3>\n
Medications<\/b><\/h3>\n
Weight Loss Surgery<\/b><\/h3>\n
FAQ<\/b><\/h2>\n
What causes obesity<\/b>?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What does obesity do to your body<\/b>?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What is considered obese or overweight<\/b>?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Who is at risk for obesity?<\/b><\/h3>\n