Obesity

This is one of the most common diseases found all over the world. Obesity has become epidemic in the U.S. and other developed countries. More than 58 million Americans are overweight, and that includes at least 1 in 5 children.

The easiest and most widely accepted method of determining whether you are obese is by measuring your Body Mass Index, or BMI. People who are obese are very overweight and at risk for serious health problems. You may also use our BMI calculator to determine whether you are obese or not

BMI category:

• A normal BMI = 18.5-24.9;
• Overweight = 25.0-29.9;
• Obese = 30 or greater; and
• Morbidly obese = 40 or greater.

People gain weight when the body takes in more calories than it burns off. Those extra calories are stored as fat and the amount of weight gain leads to obesity. The principle cause of obesity- until lately- was believed the result of an inactive lifestyle and the constant ingestion of excess calories. But, there is evidence of strong genetic, metabolic, and environmental influences in the development of obesity. The following factors in combine can also contribute to obesity.

• Regular consumption of high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, or increasing their portion sizes.
• Not burning extra calories through physical activities.
• Smokers also tend to gain weight after quitting. This weight gain may be partially due to nicotine's ability to raise the rate at which your body burns calories (metabolic rate)
• During pregnancy a woman's weight necessarily increases. This weight gain may contribute to the development of obesity in women.
• Obesity can be traced to a medical cause, such as low thyroid function or excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome)

• Insulin Resistance
• High blood pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Congestive heart failure

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects many people and often requires long-term treatment to promote and sustain weight loss. There are different programs are available for weight loss. But, these successful programs for weight loss reduction and maintenance should be started and followed under the care of a physician and/or a nutritionist. A weight-loss program may include.

• Exercise
• A low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate, high fiber diet
• Life style changes or Behavior modification to change eating behavior
• Social support
• Medications

Although several diets pills like (Alli, Acomplia, and Phentermine) have become quite popular as effective ways of losing weight, none of them has been proven to be vastly superior in rigorously conducted, large-scale clinical trials. The key (and only) reason for the success of any dietary plan is that it makes you consume fewer calories than what you are expending.

But, it is very important to discuss all medications you are taking with your physician.

Current guidelines recommend drug treatment for individuals, especially those with other obesity-related health conditions, who have failed to respond adequately to dietary and behavioral modifications. A limited number of medications are available for the treatment of obesity. Concerns about side effects have diminished enthusiasm for appetite-suppressant drugs. Individuals who have taken either should be evaluated by a physician.

Phentermine remains available, but is approved only for short-term use. Alli approved by FDA can be used over-the- counter. But these pills may cause some side effects, thus should be used with caution and only with regular medical monitoring.

Orlistat (Xenical) is a medication that blocks the absorption of dietary fat and is also approved for longer-term use. However, it causes unpleasant side effects (greasy stool), and you also need to supplement your diet with fat-soluble vitamins.

Although surgery (such as gastric bypass) is the last resort for the treatment of obesity, it can be extremely effective. However, it should be performed at an experienced surgical center, because such operations can carry significant risks, especially in the post-operative period. Consensus recommendations are to limit surgical therapies to patients with morbid obesity (BMI > 40).